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General Support => Installation and Set-Up (Devices) => Topic started by: chaiwan2000 on June 16, 2011, 11:20:56 PM

Title: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: chaiwan2000 on June 16, 2011, 11:20:56 PM
I lived in Bay Area, CA and recently ported my land line number to GV successfully. Just want to share my log here, hopefully it can demystify this process a bit.

First, I go to http://www.t-mobile.com/switch/default.aspx to make sure my land line number is eligible to transfer.

Then I started out with a T-mobile prepaid SIM card for $6.99 which I purchased online. Plus tax, it is $7.64 shipped. I got 10 minutes talk time.

Day 1 (evening): Received the package from T-mobile. Follow the instructions and activate that SIM card. Provided a PIN # of my choice and in return I got a new phone number (408-xxx-yyyy). Put that SIM in one of my mobile phone and make sure this number actually works.

Day 2 (morning): Called T-mobile's activation dept (1-800-937-8997) and requested them to port my land line number to my prepaid SIM. I need to provide my AT&T account number to T-mobile for this.

Day 3 (morning): Received a SMS from T-mobile at 7:58am telling me that the porting is done. Called both ways and confirmed it is working.

Day 3 (lunch time): Login to my Google Voice account and request the porting at 12:22pm. Google charges $20 for this, payable via Google Checkout. Also, I need to provide my T-mobile account number and PIN to Google. A T-mobile agent told me that, for prepaid SIM, the account number is usually 1+mobile number. You may want to double check with T-mobile if you're not sure. Therefore, in my case, it is 1-408-xxx-yyyy. PIN is the one I created on Day 1. Part of the Google activation process is for Google to make a call to your mobile number, and you need to enter a 2-digit code that they provided to complete the validation process. This is where your 10-minute talk time becomes useful.

Day 4 (morning): Received an email from Google saying that their porting is done. Just tried calling both ways and it seems to work so far.

This is just my personal experience and for sure, YMMV. Good luck and have fun with Obi110.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: pc44 on June 17, 2011, 05:25:42 AM
Excellent information and review!  I have been wondering how smooth the process of porting a landline number to Google would be.  Thank you for your post; it is very helpful!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Johnny on June 17, 2011, 08:58:07 AM
I'll second what pc44 said.  Excellent review and helpful information.

I will probably be porting my land line in the near future and this info will definitely help.

I'm just debating on porting my land line number to GV or something like Callcentric in which I already have an account.

Google Voice is great, but I also really like Callcentric even though it's not free like GV.  Great support at CC and GV is really lacking in that area.

Oh well, I'm starting to wander off topic so I'll say good bye.

Again, Thanks for posting on your porting experience.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: chaiwan2000 on June 17, 2011, 11:07:13 PM
Thanks for the kind words.

Like Johnny, I asked myself the same question. My primary goal here is to keep my land line number and my secondary goal is to enjoy the free services from Google for as long as they are available.

That said, I choose to port my number to GV because in case there is any hiccup with Google Chat, I can always route my calls to my other phone numbers. If I port my land line straight to CC, then I lost this flexibility. This is, of course, assuming that Google will at least continue to provide call routing. In case Google stops everything, then CC is always there for me.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jcburns on June 27, 2011, 12:42:23 PM
This is a great explanation, and so far, it's working well. One question...AFTER you port away from T-Mobile, what number gets assigned to the T-Mobile SIM? The one you started with? Another one in the same area code? Or is it a mystery?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: ellett on June 27, 2011, 02:37:30 PM
After porting, your original T-Mobile SIM is not associated with any number. You could probably reactivate it if you took it to a store, but they'd probably want to issue you a new SIM to avoid confusion.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: ellett on June 27, 2011, 02:43:42 PM
I did this a while back using an ancient T-Mobile voice-only phone. If you have a Freecycle group in your area you can probably get an old T-Mo phone through them at no cost. I took the phone to a store and bought the $10 SIM+5minutes package and had the T-Mobile rep start the porting process all at once.

I'll also confirm that the account number is the telephone number with a prepended "1", just like you'd call it long-distance.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Diana on July 02, 2011, 03:16:48 PM
My T-Mobile experience was very simple and efficient.  I had my home Phone Service with T-Mobile.  I had the T-Mobile @Home Home Phone Service, which cost $9.99 ($13.00 with taxes) per month for unlimited US calling.  So, I did not have to first port my number to T-Mobile and they treat the @Home Line as if it was a Mobile number.  I initiated the port and exactly 24-hours later, the port went through and the T-Mobile@Home Router (WRTU54G-TM) Blue light went out and service available on the OBi110.  The T-Mobile@Home charges disappear from the account.  Total cost for the entire process was $20.00 that Google charge for porting from T-Mobile to Google!

Now I have a free (for now at least) phone system with better features and more reliable than the @Home Service.  Added VOIP.ms e911 for $2.49 per month ($0.99 for the DID and $1.50 for e911).  VOIP.ms could not do e911 without first purchasing a DID.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: chaiwan2000 on July 07, 2011, 11:01:53 PM
For me, after the number is ported from T-Mobile to GV, I can continue to call out using my T-Mobile SIM for a couple more days until that account got closed. The other end sees my land line number.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: HanE on July 09, 2011, 11:23:46 AM
I got to do some research on how to do all of this.  This sounds really cool.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: daibaan on July 14, 2011, 06:19:35 PM
I followed waichai2000's procedure exactly, got almost the exact the same result:

Day 1: Called T-mobile's number porting dept (1-800-937-8997 then transfered to number porting dept), requested them to port my AT&T land line number to my prepaid SIM.

Day 3 (13:00): Received a phone call on my T-mobile phone, caller confirm she was calling my AT&T landline number

Day 3 (13:30): Create a new Google Voice account and request number porting. Provided the T-mobile account number and PIN.

Day 4 (00:31): Received an email from Google: porting initiated
Day 4 (00:32): Received an email from Google: incorrect PIN (I am sure I provided the correct PIN)
Day 4 (09:30): call T-mobile to confirm my PIN, CSR note that the newly ported in AT&T number has a port-out request attached and thought it was a mistake, I told her not to worry.
Day 4 (09:40): provided GV the T-Mobile PIN again for porting (a link was provided in the google email)

Day 5 (00:29): Received an email from Google: porting initiated
Day 5 (00:29): Received an email from Google: porting completed successfully

I suspect that the T-mobile system has problem handling a number being ported in and ported out on the same day. So if you get a "incorrect PIN" email from Google, just try again. Also it seems Google is performing all the number porting shortly after midnight each day.

Thanks waichai2000
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: PolynesianMedic on July 15, 2011, 12:53:02 PM
Any thoughts on how this works without a T-Mobile phone or account?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on July 15, 2011, 04:03:40 PM
PolynesianMedic:  I'm not sure what you mean by "without a T-Mobile phone or account"?  Do you mean porting into GV directly from a land line number (POTS or VoIP), or from some other (non T-Mobile) mobile phone number?

Currently, you can't port a land line number into GV; Google doesn't provide that option at all.  You can get around this, as the OP did; port a land line over to a mobile carrier supported by GV (currently only Sprint, Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, I believe), then port that number to GV.  Users' experiences porting into GV vary widely, with many problems reported, depending on carrier, area code/prefix, etc, with no clear failure pattern and very poor support from Google.

The key to success is probably using either a T-Mobile or AT&T GoPhone prepaid number, and ensuring that you have the exact, accurate account information for that number before you attempt to enter anything into Google's porting system.   For example, for AT&T GoPhone, you need to contact their customer service, and obtain the actual account number (which is NOT the same as the phone number).

There is a lot more information and war stories over on the GV help forum.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: johng on July 28, 2011, 08:47:46 AM
I also live in the bay area (my landline service is with Comcast), and am following the steps from post #1. Ordered my T-mobile prepaid sim card (with 10 minutes on it) at Amazon for $5.49 and free shipping (I have prime). If you search for "B004UI4WFM" (it's the product code) at the Amazon site it will bring you to the correct one. Got my phone at noon yesterday, called to activate it (took about 15 min), then called later in the day to start home number port (see tips below), and am currently waiting to get the text that the port is complete. I'll update this post as progress is made, but so far so good. Here are a few extra tips to help people out.

If you have an AT&T mobile account you can call 1-800-331-0500 and AT&T will give you the unlock code for your phone (as long as it's not an iphone) for free. Took me about 15 minutes to get the code, and you need an unlocked phone to put your T-mobile prepaid sim into (unless of course you are already a T-mobile customer).

The T-mobile direct prepaid customer service number is 1-877-778-2106. It took me 3 tries before finally getting connected to the right dept. Once you call and get to the options you want option #5 "manage account". I tried option #4 "technical support" only to be rerouted a number of times and then having the call drop. Next you want to say "representative", and once someone comes on they need to verify a few things and tell them you are trying to get connected to "pre-paid activation for number porting". Make sure you stress "pre-paid" as the first few times they connected me to the normal non prepaid account number porting and it's a completely separate department. I also verified with T-mobile that your prepaid account number is 1 + your new cell number (you need that later to give to google).

UPDATE: Got the email for google that the number port is complete at 9AM 7/23/11 which is less than 2 days from the activation of the T-mobile number (around noon on 7/21/11). Not sure if I can post links so if you do a search of "How to Port Verizon Landline to Google Voice" the first link will be a post from someone that did a landline port like these posts but he mentions the phone number 1-877-789-3106 which is a direct line to T-mobiles porting group. Call this number vs the other one and you won't have to go through a bunch of transfers. You still need to tell them you are porting a "pre-paid" number. I got the text from T-mobile around 9AM on 7/22/11 and went right into google to see if they would see the number as portable and it's amazing that there was no lag for them to report it was a number they could port. Lastly remember that when you do the port with google your T-mobile account number that you give them is 1 + "your new T-mobile # (ie. the # you are porting)". T-mobile changes your account number from "1 + original T-mobile #" once the port is complete. Lastly right after you initiate the google port expect an immediate email saying there is an error with the port. You will need to go to google voice and it will bring you to a page where they want you to input your T-mobile prepaid pin #, and then it take ~24hrs to complete. I am going to port our 2nd office #, and I going to try to see if T-mobile with activate the account with that number directly, so it would eliminate a step. I'll post back if that works.

johng
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: mayhem69 on July 30, 2011, 05:45:00 AM
I have a problem, i need some help and so far no one can give me an answer.
I ported my landline phone # 610-473-xxxx to Tracfone (AT&T) successfully.  I am now trying to port the # to GV, but so far no go on the GV end.  GV is giving me the "Unfortunately there are no Google Voice setup options available for this mobile phone number at this time. Click on the Back button below to setup Google Voice with a new number." crap.

What can i do to get my # to GV?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: richtrapp on August 01, 2011, 11:33:26 AM
I had a good experience with 1 warning.

I had Comcast Digital voice as my land line.
I picked up a pay-as-you-go SIM card from T-Mobile and ported my number there. (I have several t-mobile phones already)

This was a bit of fun, since 1 out of 4 people I spoke with at t-mobile realized you could do that (most thought you could not port to a pay-as-you-go line).

This took a total of 2 days from purchasing the SIM and calling T-Mobile to begin the port.
Once the port was confirmed to T-Mobile, I started the process with Google voice and within 1 more day things were working nicely.

Total extra cost was $10 for the SIM & another $10 to add some minutes...I wasted them setting up voice mail- should have use the land line to do that.

The ONLY issue is that you CAN NOT FORWARD a T-Mobile Pay-As-You-Go number....so for the 1 day that I was in process from T-Mobile to Google, I had setup a voice message saying that my phone was in transition and my temporary number was my Google Voice number.

Hope that helps someone avoid the any surprises.
Title: Back to back porting w/ tmobile
Post by: brav on August 05, 2011, 11:13:09 PM
Has anyone tried to port 2 diff landlines to 2 diff gv accounts using 1 tmobile prepaid sim card?

I haven't tried porting yet so not sure if the tmo account gets wiped out after the first port.
Title: Re: Back to back porting w/ tmobile
Post by: johng on August 09, 2011, 04:55:29 PM
You will need a seperate T-mobile sim card for each land line ported. Once the number gets ported from T-mobile to google voice the old sim card doesn't work anymore and I assume your T-mobile account is terminated at their end.

jcg

Quote from: brav on August 05, 2011, 11:13:09 PM
Has anyone tried to port 2 diff landlines to 2 diff gv accounts using 1 tmobile prepaid sim card?

I haven't tried porting yet so not sure if the tmo account gets wiped out after the first port.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: freakqnc on August 12, 2011, 11:37:24 PM
Well I followed the steps on ZDnet as documented (verbosely but thoroughly) by David Gewirtz here:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/government/google-voice-a-step-by-step-primer-on-ditching-your-land-line-while-keeping-your-number/10455?pg=5 (http://www.zdnet.com/blog/government/google-voice-a-step-by-step-primer-on-ditching-your-land-line-while-keeping-your-number/10455?pg=5)

My case briefly:

1) Have Vonage and I am trying to break free from their evil empire
2) Got an ATT GoPhone with a prepaid $15 (added after I got the phone)
3) Requested porting from Vonage to ATT GoPhone
4) Checked porting status and 3 days later Vonage number was successfully ported to the ATT GoPhone
5) Opened a new Google Account to port the ATT GoPhone number to it (so I can link it to Obi, Cell, Office)
6) Got on Google Voice and I get this:
Available options for using your existing mobile number:
Get Google Voicemail for your existing mobile number
Keep your existing number with your carrier and get the lite version of Google Voice which includes some of the most popular features like online voicemail and voicemail transcriptions.
Get Google Voice Lite (as shown in attached image).

Now I wonder WTH is going on... is Vonage still holding the number even if the port was successful? The weird thing is that despite ported my Vonage is the device that receives calls on the ported number, the ATT still does not.

Anyone has had any experience with this?

I will update if/when I'll have more info/solution in the meantime thanks to all who can pitch in with a solution/suggestion.

Cheers...
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: radparker on August 13, 2011, 01:23:37 PM
I ported my T-Mobile cell number to Google Voice back when I moved from T-Mo to Verizon in February (so I could get an iPhone). Porting took only about a day and was a piece of cake.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: wyt168 on September 22, 2011, 09:33:40 AM
Quote from: johng on July 28, 2011, 08:47:46 AM
Lastly remember that when you do the port with google your T-mobile account number that you give them is 1 + "your new T-mobile # (ie. the # you are porting)". T-mobile changes your account number from "1 + original T-mobile #" once the port is complete. Lastly right after you initiate the google port expect an immediate email saying there is an error with the port. You will need to go to google voice and it will bring you to a page where they want you to input your T-mobile prepaid pin #, and then it take ~24hrs to complete.

johng

Thanks for the clarification that the t-mobile account # is "1 + ported landline #" AFTER the porting is done, i.e. if your original pre-paid t-mobile # is xxx-xxx-xxxx and the land line # being ported is yyy-yyy-yyyy, your account # after the porting will be "1yyyyyyyyyy" instead of "1xxxxxxxxxx".
In fact, the help page on Obihai  "Landline Porting to Google Voice" http://obihai.com/porttutorial.html (http://obihai.com/porttutorial.html) states the exact opposite, i.e. they are saying that you should use the original t-mobile # for the pre-paid account #.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jazzy on September 30, 2011, 09:51:33 AM
Long time ATT, SBC, Pacific Bell land line customer in the 415 with a legacy prefix that I wanted to keep.  Followed the porting instructions, and my legacy prefix is now a GV number.

Monday – Activated a T-Mobile pre paid sim card on the internet.  After verifying the number works incoming and outgoing, called T-Mobile porting department at 1-877-789-3106 and requested a port in from a land line.

Tuesday – At 5pm my ATT land line # was ported to the T-mobile cell phone.  Verified calling in and out.

Wed – 7am logged into my GV account and requested the T-Mobile # be ported to my GV. The T-mobile account number is " 1 (area code, number) for a total of  11 digits.  Immediately after paying the $20 porting charge.  I received an email, saying " there is an error with the port ".  Just clicked the link in the email, and a screen will ask for your T-mobile prepaid PIN.  Submit it, and you're done.

Thurs – At 7am ( exactly 24 hours after porting request ), I received an email saying, porting was complete.  My old ATT legacy number now is now my GV number. 

To summarize, activated the T-mobile sim on a Monday, and Thursday porting was completed to GV.  So now my Obi receives and makes calls using GV, and I rescued my legacy number!

When GV asks for your T-Mobile account number, it is the " the newly ported in number from the land line , not the number assigned when you first activate the sim card.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV
Post by: primetymepro on October 19, 2011, 12:26:05 AM
I suppose that this could work with any carrier this read refers to AT&T whereas I'm in the process but via My existing carrier T-Mobile. I'll report back my experience and timeline...

How To Port Your Vonage Phone Number to Google Voice
by RONMALIBU on 2011/08/12

Vonage is a great service – VoIP for cheap with international calls thrown in – that's why I selected it for my business line a few years back. Now I've switched to Skype and Google Voice, and this is the process to port from Vonage to Google Voice.

Port your Vonage number to AT&T. I chose AT&T as I already had a Go Phone which I give to international visitors. I did this in the AT&T store, and they took care of it all for me for a $25 sim card. Keep the receipt or make a note of your AT&T account number. This put me on a 3 month / 10c per minute plan so I could receive calls in the interim. The process took about 48 hours to complete.
Sign up for google voice, and select the option to port an existing number to google voice. There are a few disclosures about 3 potential days of lost SMS messages, and you pay a one time $20 porting fee. The trick here is finding your AT&T account number, which is not the same as your phone number. I threw away my receipt, so I had to call 611 from my Go Phone to talk to find it out.
Wait 24 hours.
Enjoy free call forwarding and google voicemail services. The switch cost me $45, and I no longer pay my $30 a month Vonage bill. It would have been cheaper to add a line to my existing cell phone service for a month (around $10 rather than $25), but this way kept everything simple for me, and simplicity goes a long way when you're talking about transferring your business number and not losing calls!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: rtalcott on October 22, 2011, 07:03:22 AM
I just went from AT&T wireless to GV....it was smooth....only FYI is the AT&T/GV port took 48 hours and not the 24 that GV estimated.
rt
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Dale on October 22, 2011, 08:03:11 AM
I ported from ViaTalk to T-mobile on a $10 pay as you go set up. The ViaTalk account number is the same as your 11 digit phone number. (Note this means you should never let slip that you use ViaTalk to anyone who know your phone number if you think your number is worth stealing!)

Porting from T-Mobile to Google Voice to a few days. $20.

So total cost $30 to port a number. Funny how we have been paying number portability fees to telephone companies for years and we still have to fork out money to get it done... another reason I am glad to not be using a traditional telephone company.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: aot2002 on December 01, 2011, 02:41:54 PM
I did this with tracfone and it was successful and simple took 2 days for tracfone and 24 hours for google voice to grab it from tracfone.
Purchased 9 dollar tracfone with 10 minutes of voice included.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: foodtours on December 13, 2011, 01:58:23 PM
if i get a t-mobile phone, do i still need to unlock it for the landline phone number transfer to google voice? Thanks.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Judgeless on January 09, 2012, 03:18:53 PM
This might sound foolish but I did not understand why you had to use T-Mobile until today.  It is because Google Voice will only port from a cell phone provider.  I wish this was mentioned in the first post.  I would have ordered the SIM card the day I ordered the OBI110.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jimates on January 10, 2012, 10:52:25 AM
T-Mobile currently has the prepaid sim cards for $2.99 with free shipping. Use with any unlocked gsm phone.

ncludes 10 minutes starter airtime
Includes 10 minutes of starter airtime with nationwide calling, voicemail, messaging, and more

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: MrGadget on January 11, 2012, 03:03:25 PM
PHASE 1
I'm preparing to port my landline from Qwest/Centurylink to GV.
First, my porting is a little different than a normal landline port, I think. The landline has my DSL attached to it (not under contract). Since I wasn't sure what would happen when I removed the phone line from the DSL, I called Centurylink to see what I should do.

I was told that I shouldn't do anything special, just perform the port to a cell provider (he then tried to sell/port me Verizon cell service) and the DSL will become a (Naked) Pure Broadband DSL service. Also, I could either keep my current pricing (price for life), or pay $1.00 less and gamble the price does not change in the future. I kept my current pricing.

I took advantage of the T-Mobile SIM Activation Starter kit for $2.99 with free shipping. Since I had T-mobile in the past, I should be able to use an old phone for the temporary porting process. (Thanks Jimates for the heads up)

Now I am waiting for the SIM to arrive. Once I get the SIM, I'll activate and contact GV to port the number, preferably on a Friday or Saturday to avoid any business calls that could chew up my 10 minute T-Mobile starter.

I'll update my status once I move on to PHASE 2 of my GV activation and porting. If anybody has already performed a migration from a Phone/DSL connection, I would be interested in hearing about your results.

Stay tuned.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Judgeless on January 16, 2012, 08:38:41 AM
My port is not going as easy as the first post.

A week ago I ordered 2 SIMs from T-Mobile for $2.99 each.  I selected free 2 day shipping.  It took a day to process the order and I received an email claiming the estimated delivery will be Jan 21st.  I could not wait so I went to a local T-Mobile store and paid $10 for a SIM.

Two days ago after I got the SIM I called the T-Mobile Transfer center and gave them all the info.  They told me the transfer should take 24 to 48 hours.  After 48 hours it was not working so I called T-Mobile and the lady told me that when you port a land line it can take 7-10 business days. 
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: MrGadget on January 19, 2012, 08:25:48 AM
Quote from: MrGadget on January 11, 2012, 03:03:25 PM

I took advantage of the T-Mobile SIM Activation Starter kit for $2.99 with free shipping. Since I had T-mobile in the past, I should be able to use an old phone for the temporary porting process. (Thanks Jimates for the heads up)

Now I am waiting for the SIM to arrive. Once I get the SIM, I'll activate and contact GV to port the number, preferably on a Friday or Saturday to avoid any business calls that could chew up my 10 minute T-Mobile starter.


Well, I am STILL waiting for the T-Mobile SIM to arrive, 9 days later. Perhaps it was a scam. I sure hope the treatment Judgeless received is not the normal now for porting.

Anybody have any experience converting Landline/DSL to NAKED? How did it go? Any gotchas to watch for?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: donslade on January 20, 2012, 10:51:52 AM
It took mine 10 days to arrive from T-Mobile.  You can check status via the order number they provided and the T-mobile email link they sent.

My porting experience has been great so far.  T-Mobile was very quick to port my Time-Warner Digital Phone number to them in about 36 hours after my initial request.  Now I'm waiting on the port to Google.

The OBi100 interfce is working great with my existing GV number.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Judgeless on January 21, 2012, 12:51:24 PM
It 14 days for me to get the SIM.  It has been 7 days since I started the process with T-Mobile to transfer my Windstream land line phone number.  I talk to T-Mobile every day.  Each day there is another reason on why it failed.   It is Windstreams fault.  I am not going to give up.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on January 29, 2012, 08:30:56 AM
My port from AT&T to T-Mobile to GV took a total of 5 days, 4 of them for the AT&T portion.  A "simple port" is required by FCC regulations to take 24 hours.  AT&T is now investigating the FCC complaint I filed due to their delay, they approved the port in a day and then made me sit 3 more days.  T-Mobile to AT&T took EXACTLY 24 hours, to the minute.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: FM9295 on February 03, 2012, 10:33:30 PM
Anybody have any idea whether it's possible to do the reverse of all this (say worst case scenario--GV starts charging a bunch for service or OBi disappears from the landscape).  Can a GV number be ported back to a mobile (and, potentially to another landline)?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: infin8loop on February 03, 2012, 10:57:45 PM
Quote from: FM9295 on February 03, 2012, 10:33:30 PM
Anybody have any idea whether it's possible to do the reverse of all this (say worst case scenario--GV starts charging a bunch for service or OBi disappears from the landscape).  Can a GV number be ported back to a mobile (and, potentially to another landline)?

You can port out of Google Voice but you have to "unlock" the number at GV first.

Details here: http://support.google.com/voice/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1316844

Also note: There is a one time $3 fee to port your number away from Google Voice. For users who ported their mobile numbers into Google Voice, the fee is waived.

Update: Checking my Google issued GV number (I did not port it into Google) at voip.ms:
Our initial review indicates that the ratecenter Dallas is portable to our network.
I could be wrong, but I doubt most voip providers would require the GV number be ported to a mobile number before porting it to their network -- if they accept ports for the ratecenter the GV number is in.       
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: LifeHub on February 17, 2012, 10:28:58 AM
Encountering a GV problem...

I did not have any problem porting landline to the T-Mo prepaid on old Moto Razr.  T-Mo with new # can now call out and receive most calls, except receive from GV.  It can call out to GV without any problem.  T-Mo support has verified that the porting is completed properly and they did not see any problem on their end.  This prevents the porting to GV to go through, because the verification call to enter the 2 digit cannot be completed.

Has anybody else run into this issue?  Or does anybody else have any other ideas?

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on February 17, 2012, 10:39:32 AM
Quote from: LifeHub on February 17, 2012, 10:28:58 AM
Encountering a GV problem...

I did not have any problem porting landline to the T-Mo prepaid on old Moto Razr.  T-Mo with new # can now call out and receive most calls, except receive from GV.  It can call out to GV without any problem.  T-Mo support has verified that the porting is completed properly and they did not see any problem on their end.  This prevents the porting to GV to go through, because the verification call to enter the 2 digit cannot be completed.

Has anybody else run into this issue?  Or does anybody else have any other ideas?

Thanks in advance.

What if you go into GV and use it to call your landline number.  Does the landline work?

If it cannot receive calls from GV, one option might be to forward the T-Mobile number to another number.  GV calls it to verify, the other phone rings, you enter the code...

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: LifeHub on February 17, 2012, 11:00:49 AM
No, if I call the ported landline from GV physically, the call just dies.  I even tried to call landline from gmail and the same problem occurs with "network error".  I have reported the issue to Google, but so far no response.  I sure hope T-Mo has not blocked incoming calls from GV.

I realize I can port it to another provider, but at this point I just want to see if there is any other options.

Quote from: Rick on February 17, 2012, 10:39:32 AM
What if you go into GV and use it to call your landline number.  Does the landline work?

If it cannot receive calls from GV, one option might be to forward the T-Mobile number to another number.  GV calls it to verify, the other phone rings, you enter the code...


Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on February 17, 2012, 11:03:49 AM
Quote from: LifeHub on February 17, 2012, 11:00:49 AM
No, if I call the ported landline from GV physically, the call just dies.  I even tried to call landline from gmail and the same problem occurs with "network error".  I have reported the issue to Google, but so far no response.  I sure hope T-Mo has not blocked incoming calls from GV.

I realize I can port it to another provider, but at this point I just want to see if there is any other options.

Quote from: Rick on February 17, 2012, 10:39:32 AM
What if you go into GV and use it to call your landline number.  Does the landline work?

If it cannot receive calls from GV, one option might be to forward the T-Mobile number to another number.  GV calls it to verify, the other phone rings, you enter the code...



My suggestion was to go into your T-Mobile settings and FORWARD all calls to another number, NOT port.  Test a call from GV.  If it forwards, then you can use that setup to put in the two digits.  If it doesn't (and it probably won't), then the issue is likely with the way your number is listed in the directory that GV is using to find the number, i.e. it isn't showing it as ported all the way or something.

Let us know if GV ever responds... 

If you can't get it to work today, wait and try again tomorrow, perhaps it's just not updated.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: LifeHub on February 17, 2012, 11:22:36 AM
I doubt it will work, but will try your suggestion later this evening anyway.

The update is not the issue here since the porting was done a week ago.  I have been contacting T-Mo and GV to get it resolved.  I think your idea about the directory may be the culprit.

Quote from: Rick on February 17, 2012, 11:03:49 AM
My suggestion was to go into your T-Mobile settings and FORWARD all calls to another number, NOT port.  Test a call from GV.  If it forwards, then you can use that setup to put in the two digits.  If it doesn't (and it probably won't), then the issue is likely with the way your number is listed in the directory that GV is using to find the number, i.e. it isn't showing it as ported all the way or something.

Let us know if GV ever responds... 

If you can't get it to work today, wait and try again tomorrow, perhaps it's just not updated.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on February 17, 2012, 11:28:17 AM
Try this forum, it appears that a Google person tries to resolve things.

http://groups.google.com/a/googleproductforums.com/forum/#!category-topic/voice/making-and-receiving-calls/oC0idjQB9Kg
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: LifeHub on February 17, 2012, 11:38:59 AM
I already posted the problem in the same forum under filter "porting a number to Google Voice".  Are you telling me that I should post again under the filter that you pointed out?

Quote from: Rick on February 17, 2012, 11:28:17 AM
Try this forum, it appears that a Google person tries to resolve things.

http://groups.google.com/a/googleproductforums.com/forum/#!category-topic/voice/making-and-receiving-calls/oC0idjQB9Kg
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on February 17, 2012, 11:39:51 AM
Quote from: LifeHub on February 17, 2012, 11:38:59 AM
I already posted the problem in the same forum under filter "porting a number to Google Voice".  Are you telling me that I should post again under the filter that you pointed out?

Quote from: Rick on February 17, 2012, 11:28:17 AM
Try this forum, it appears that a Google person tries to resolve things.

http://groups.google.com/a/googleproductforums.com/forum/#!category-topic/voice/making-and-receiving-calls/oC0idjQB9Kg

Nope.  I just looked on their forums and found a place you could ask them.  I didn't know where you had asked, and he looked somewhat responsive.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jimates on February 19, 2012, 08:54:34 PM
FYI: Rite Aid has a tracfone on sale this week for less than $8. It will come with 10 minutes which is enough to get your land line ported.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: LifeHub on February 22, 2012, 01:45:59 PM
Sorry for not updating earlier, but the issue still persists.  From the GV forum, it looks like more people are encountering the same problem.  I suggest adding a warning to the conversion steps when using the T-Mo prepaid to prevent more people getting stuck.

Quote from: Rick on February 17, 2012, 11:39:51 AM
Nope.  I just looked on their forums and found a place you could ask them.  I didn't know where you had asked, and he looked somewhat responsive.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: MacOverAll on February 24, 2012, 09:04:40 AM
Number port in progress complete from ViaTalk VOIP provider:
1. Ordered SIM card from t-mobile.com for $2.12 w/tax included last week, arrive on Monday.
2. Activated SIM on wednesday with old t-mobile phone. Online shows that account has 10 minutes ($3.34) and service until May.
3. Thusday 8am-Called the port # listed in this post and got connected to IVR asked for new port, spoke to rep, she confirmed info and was very friendly.   Was told it shows as a landline account and can take up to two days to port.
4. Friday 0612 CST-Got text on t-mobile phone saying acct active with new phone number
5. Friday 0705-0815 CST- Logged into Google to see if it also showed number available for port, it does now and indicates provider T-Mobile.  When Google did verification call not all telco equip was updated with the new line location so it came through on my ViaTalk VOIP connection (no T-mobile minutes used).
*******   
When it came time to use Google Wallet, be aware that One-time numbers you can generate with your credit card provider don't work currently.  I could see the verification charge, but Google hasn't worked the kinks on their end out
-- You need to use your perm credit card number--
My credit card provider verified.  Merchants take note...
*******Google Wallet may not quite be ready for prime time and even the Wallet itself had difficulties operating in Safari and FF for a simple address update.

6. Google says port in progress estimated 24 hours for phone and may take up to 3 days for text. As I didn't have texting on "land line" the 3 days is really no big deal.
7. Saturday 8:34am Port complete. Two minutes shy of 24hrs.  Now will work on campaigning CNAM lookup up from speed dial -> GV contacts -> http CNAM lookups

Summary: bulk of time is actual number port process which thankfully is constrained by regulations -http://www.fcc.gov/guides/portability-keeping-your-phone-number-when-changing-service-providers (http://www.fcc.gov/guides/portability-keeping-your-phone-number-when-changing-service-providers)- as best as I can tell. As other posts mention, be sure to enter your pin that you set  up while activating and that your t-mobile account changes to number you are porting eg.1AAANNNNNNN where AAA is area code and NNNNNNN is phone number.
I'll update this post or add additional post once port completes.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on February 24, 2012, 09:16:17 AM
I had filed a complaint with the FCC because my AT&T to T-Mobile port took 3 days, not the 1 day required by the FCC for simple port.  According to AT&T's response, it's because the CLEC (T-Mobile?) supplied too many fields of info, specifically they a simple port requires that not more than the 14 minimum fields filled in, CLEC populated Name and ELT, instead of leaving them blank.  Therefore, a simple port was not an option.

Therefore, despite the government setting up rules, companies don't follow the guidelines...
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: klrwaffles on February 25, 2012, 10:37:26 AM
Planning on doing this, but don't have a unlocked phone to test out the ports with.  Anybody try to do this without the phone?

Anybody have a suggestion on an unlocked or tmobile phone to buy for this?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on February 25, 2012, 10:42:51 AM
Quote from: klrwaffles on February 25, 2012, 10:37:26 AM
Planning on doing this, but don't have a unlocked phone to test out the ports with.  Anybody try to do this without the phone?

Anybody have a suggestion on an unlocked or tmobile phone to buy for this?

Thanks.


You're not going to do it without a phone, or at least some type of device that can take the SIM card and receive phone calls.  I actually ported via T-Mobile and a device that I had temporarily that took SIM cards, but didn't get text messages.  Had to drive to T-Mobile store to get the pin number they texted to the account...

You can buy an AT&T prepaid phone for $5 - $10 on sale, but it won't take the T-Mobile $1.99 SIM card.  The one I bought for $4.99 is now $14.99. 
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: klrwaffles on February 25, 2012, 11:56:02 AM
Quote from: Rick on February 25, 2012, 10:42:51 AM
Quote from: klrwaffles on February 25, 2012, 10:37:26 AM
Planning on doing this, but don't have a unlocked phone to test out the ports with.  Anybody try to do this without the phone?

Anybody have a suggestion on an unlocked or tmobile phone to buy for this?

Thanks.


You're not going to do it without a phone, or at least some type of device that can take the SIM card and receive phone calls.  I actually ported via T-Mobile and a device that I had temporarily that took SIM cards, but didn't get text messages.  Had to drive to T-Mobile store to get the pin number they texted to the account...

You can buy an AT&T prepaid phone for $5 - $10 on sale, but it won't take the T-Mobile $1.99 SIM card.  The one I bought for $4.99 is now $14.99.  

Seems most people are using t-mobile to do this that is why I mentioned them.
Would this work? http://www.walmart.com/ip/T-Mobile-Nokia-1616-Prepaid-Cell-Phone/15833748
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on February 25, 2012, 01:43:15 PM
Quote from: klrwaffles on February 25, 2012, 11:56:02 AM
Quote from: Rick on February 25, 2012, 10:42:51 AM
Quote from: klrwaffles on February 25, 2012, 10:37:26 AM
Planning on doing this, but don't have a unlocked phone to test out the ports with.  Anybody try to do this without the phone?

Anybody have a suggestion on an unlocked or tmobile phone to buy for this?

Thanks.


You're not going to do it without a phone, or at least some type of device that can take the SIM card and receive phone calls.  I actually ported via T-Mobile and a device that I had temporarily that took SIM cards, but didn't get text messages.  Had to drive to T-Mobile store to get the pin number they texted to the account...

You can buy an AT&T prepaid phone for $5 - $10 on sale, but it won't take the T-Mobile $1.99 SIM card.  The one I bought for $4.99 is now $14.99.  

Seems most people are using t-mobile to do this that is why I mentioned them.
Would this work? http://www.walmart.com/ip/T-Mobile-Nokia-1616-Prepaid-Cell-Phone/15833748

It should work fine, any T-Mobile or AT&T prepaid phone.  You'll need a few minutes, depending on how many calls you get on your landline during the porting.  I bought an AT&T initially, but had the T-Mobile SIM card for the other device I didn't use, so it was cheaper to use it then to activate the AT&T phone I spent $4.99 on.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: klrwaffles on February 26, 2012, 06:18:06 PM
Got my t-mobile phone today to start the port.  So  I returned to http://www.obihai.com/porttutorial.html (http://www.obihai.com/porttutorial.html) for instructions, and noticed the "sanity check".  For some reason, I didn't notice this before.

So, my 763 number is getting the Ooops! This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support.

I'm inclined not to believe this.  I did a check on a different mobile number on 763 and it said it could do it.  So area code shouldn't be an issue.  And when I did the check within my google account, it gave me both errors listed in the sanity check:

Porting your mobile number to Google Voice is unavailable
Your mobile number can not be ported at this time.
- This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support for porting.
- We currently don't support porting from your carrier. We apologize and are working on adding support for more carriers.


I don't want to loose my number (I can just transfer it back to my land line if needed).

So what does the Obi forum think???
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: MacOverAll on February 28, 2012, 06:56:25 PM
Did you check to see if the number was available to port to Google prior to the t-mobile port being complete? I'd wait until you get the welcome text with the ported phone number, wait about an hour and then check on GoogleVoice site.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Judgeless on February 29, 2012, 12:30:41 PM
I am having a similar issue.  I had a landline with Windstream.  I picked up a T-Mobile SIM and had T-Mobile port my Windstream landline.  It now works on T-Mobile.  I went to Google Voice today to port the number from T-Mobile to Google Voice and got this error.

Porting your mobile number to Google Voice is unavailable
Your mobile number can not be ported at this time.
- This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support for porting.

Is there a time period that it has to stay at T-Mobile?  Is there another service I can port them to?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on March 01, 2012, 03:35:25 AM
Quote from: Judgeless on February 29, 2012, 12:30:41 PM
I am having a similar issue.  I had a landline with Windstream.  I picked up a T-Mobile SIM and had T-Mobile port my Windstream landline.  It now works on T-Mobile.  I went to Google Voice today to port the number from T-Mobile to Google Voice and got this error.

Porting your mobile number to Google Voice is unavailable
Your mobile number can not be ported at this time.
- This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support for porting.

Is there a time period that it has to stay at T-Mobile?  Is there another service I can port them to?


There is no time period.  I ported to TMobile, and initiated the GV port minutes after the TMobile port was complete.  No idea why you are having this issue. 
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Judgeless on March 02, 2012, 06:19:39 AM
Can someone recommend a provider that might be able to port my number from T-Mobile so I can use it with my OBI box?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Stewart on March 02, 2012, 06:33:09 AM
Quote from: Judgeless on March 02, 2012, 06:19:39 AM
Can someone recommend a provider that might be able to port my number from T-Mobile so I can use it with my OBI box?
A quick look at the Elyria, OH rate center http://www.telcodata.us/search-area-code-exchange-by-ratecenter-state?ratecenter=elyria&state=oh shows Level 3 as the only CLEC, which likely explains your problem with GV (they seem to deal only with Bandwidth.com).

I'm a satisfied Phonepower customer; my DID is with Level 3, and I would assume that they can port your 440 number.  Most providers have an online check for portability, so you could try your number on various sites to see your options.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Stewart on March 02, 2012, 06:56:41 AM
VOIPo and VoIP.ms both have (Level 3) numbers in Elyria, so I assume that they could also port.

Callcentric site shows your number as portable.

I do not see your rate center on Anveo.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Judgeless on March 02, 2012, 07:51:38 AM
Stewart, Thanks for the help.  I think I am going to try Callcentric.  Do you think there will be an issue porting it from T-Mobile?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Stewart on March 02, 2012, 08:02:22 AM
I'm not affiliated with Callcentric (or any other company), so can't make any guarantees, but their page at http://www.callcentric.com/lnp/ says that your number can be ported, and IMO their support is awesome.  Good luck.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dhobi on March 02, 2012, 05:53:10 PM
Just ported my land line from AT&T to GV by following the instructions in the first post. It worked very well, each porting step took 1-2 days. The longest part was getting the prepaid SIM card mailed to me, it took over a week.

Well worth the $22 to preserve my home number and to now have more features and flexibility.

I was given two direct numbers to the T-Mobile number porting which I'm posting here in case they are useful to other people:
1-877-789-3106
1-877-207-8169
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Judgeless on March 03, 2012, 05:47:31 AM
I am having the worse luck on this.  It took me 5 weeks to port my landline from Winstream to T-Mobile.  Then found out I cannot port it from T-Mobile to Google Voice.

Yesterday I started the port to Callcentric.  After I started the port I got this email.

Note you would be billed according to the number service which you ported your number to. You can expect an average porting time of 15-45 days with most ports taking 25 days.

Now I have to wait another 3 weeks.  I do not understand how everyone gets this done in a couple of days.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Judgeless on March 03, 2012, 05:55:59 AM
Quote from: dhobi on March 02, 2012, 05:53:10 PM
Just ported my land line from AT&T to GV by following the instructions in the first post. It worked very well, each porting step took 1-2 days. The longest part was getting the prepaid SIM card mailed to me, it took over a week.

Well worth the $22 to preserve my home number and to now have more features and flexibility.

I was given two direct numbers to the T-Mobile number porting which I'm posting here in case they are useful to other people:
1-877-789-3106
1-877-207-8169

When I ported my landline from Windstream to T-Mobile it took 5 weeks and I spent about an hour each week day calling both Windstream and T-Mobile to make it happen.

I called T- Mobile at 1-877-789-3106 each time.  I gave all my info to the first person each time and then they transferred me to the land line porting group.  I had to give all my info again.  With Winstream there customer service department was worthless.  I filled a complaint with the FCC and a lady named Karen from Windstream called me and I used her every day to make sure all the fields were correct.  It took many many attempts for the two companies to make it happen.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Judgeless on March 03, 2012, 06:02:18 AM
This all started on Jan 14th. This was my first post when I started the process.

http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=1051.msg14746#msg14746
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dhobi on March 03, 2012, 08:28:52 AM
Sorry to hear. Sounds like Windstream is at fault here and a pain to deal with.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: klrwaffles on March 05, 2012, 07:19:18 AM
Quote from: klrwaffles on February 26, 2012, 06:18:06 PM
Got my t-mobile phone today to start the port.  So  I returned to http://www.obihai.com/porttutorial.html (http://www.obihai.com/porttutorial.html) for instructions, and noticed the "sanity check".  For some reason, I didn't notice this before.

So, my 763 number is getting the Ooops! This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support.

I'm inclined not to believe this.  I did a check on a different mobile number on 763 and it said it could do it.  So area code shouldn't be an issue.  And when I did the check within my google account, it gave me both errors listed in the sanity check:

Porting your mobile number to Google Voice is unavailable
Your mobile number can not be ported at this time.
- This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support for porting.
- We currently don't support porting from your carrier. We apologize and are working on adding support for more carriers.


I don't want to loose my number (I can just transfer it back to my land line if needed).

So what does the Obi forum think???

The port from centurylink to tmobile seems to be complete.  I can now make and receive calls on my tmobile phone, and my land line is dead.

But google voice doesn't want to port my number.  I guess I'll give this a few days before I port to VOIP service and give up on google.  Either way, I'll be saving some money disconnecting my landline.

Now I'm on the phone to centurylink getting my dsl reconnected.  I thought I saw a question on what would happen to a dsl service if they ported a number.  The answer is, it gets disconnected.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on March 05, 2012, 07:24:36 AM
Quote from: klrwaffles on March 05, 2012, 07:19:18 AM

Now I'm on the phone to centurylink getting my dsl reconnected.  I thought I saw a question on what would happen to a dsl service if they ported a number.  The answer is, it gets disconnected.

Right, you have to get your DSL separated from your phone line BEFORE you port your number.  It's called a "dry loop". 
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dhobi on March 05, 2012, 08:04:01 AM
Quote from: Rick on March 05, 2012, 07:24:36 AM
Quote from: klrwaffles on March 05, 2012, 07:19:18 AM

Now I'm on the phone to centurylink getting my dsl reconnected.  I thought I saw a question on what would happen to a dsl service if they ported a number.  The answer is, it gets disconnected.

Right, you have to get your DSL separated from your phone line BEFORE you port your number.  It's called a "dry loop". 

You will have to pay a bit extra for the "naked DSL line", depending on the local telco I think somewhere around $10 at which point you might as well keep a landline on the cheapest plan they have (metered plan). For the incremental cost you get 911 and a backup phone line that you can take incoming calls on and make calls when VOIP is down or in cases of emergency. You have to crunch the numbers and see if it's worth it.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: klrwaffles on March 05, 2012, 08:16:10 AM
Quote from: dhobi on March 05, 2012, 08:04:01 AM
Quote from: Rick on March 05, 2012, 07:24:36 AM
Quote from: klrwaffles on March 05, 2012, 07:19:18 AM

Now I'm on the phone to centurylink getting my dsl reconnected.  I thought I saw a question on what would happen to a dsl service if they ported a number.  The answer is, it gets disconnected.

Right, you have to get your DSL separated from your phone line BEFORE you port your number.  It's called a "dry loop". 

You will have to pay a bit extra for the "naked DSL line", depending on the local telco I think somewhere around $10 at which point you might as well keep a landline on the cheapest plan they have (metered plan). For the incremental cost you get 911 and a backup phone line that you can take incoming calls on and make calls when VOIP is down or in cases of emergency. You have to crunch the numbers and see if it's worth it.

I'm figuring this out now.. :(  I'll have to get comcast and centurylink to do battle for my business.

The sad part is I can't get my number to port to GV anyway...which was the goal.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: klrwaffles on March 05, 2012, 09:18:35 AM
Quote from: MrGadget on January 19, 2012, 08:25:48 AM
Quote from: MrGadget on January 11, 2012, 03:03:25 PM

I took advantage of the T-Mobile SIM Activation Starter kit for $2.99 with free shipping. Since I had T-mobile in the past, I should be able to use an old phone for the temporary porting process. (Thanks Jimates for the heads up)

Now I am waiting for the SIM to arrive. Once I get the SIM, I'll activate and contact GV to port the number, preferably on a Friday or Saturday to avoid any business calls that could chew up my 10 minute T-Mobile starter.


Well, I am STILL waiting for the T-Mobile SIM to arrive, 9 days later. Perhaps it was a scam. I sure hope the treatment Judgeless received is not the normal now for porting.

Anybody have any experience converting Landline/DSL to NAKED? How did it go? Any gotchas to watch for?

Did you ever get your number ported?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Ron_in_Jax on March 07, 2012, 05:19:15 AM
Well, just got mine ported over from at&t landline to tmobile prepaid to GV.  Started monday morning and finished Wed momorning.
A couple things.
First of all, I had an activation kit laying around from some prepaid phones I had bought last year.  I had bought the phones very cheap and flipped them on CL... kept the kit and free refil that came with them.
So, if u have an activation kit already, no need to buy one.
Secondly.  I did NOT activate the kit/#. I didnt even open the kit, then I called tmobile and told them I wanted to port my at&t landline to tmobile prepaid and I have the activation kit right here in front of me, unopened.
The csr took my landline info and then my sim card # and then my activation # and my cell phone imei #.  I then put the sim card in my phone and within a minute I got a text telling me my tmobile # was 904-xxx-xxxx which was/is my home at&t #.

She told me I could still receive calls on my prepaid fone but couldnt dial out until port complete.

It was kinda weird in that my home phones and prepiad cell phone both rang that day when someone called my home #.
The next day my house fone went dead and prepaid cell worked.  ported the tmobile # to G-voice and within a few minutes I got the pin # error, so I fixed that issue and again got a pin # error..
Waited a few hours and re-sent the pin info and all went fine...( someone mentioned potential problem with tmob when doing activation and poting out so close togehter).
Next day all good and on Gvoice.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: MrGadget on March 07, 2012, 12:19:11 PM
Quote from: Rick on March 05, 2012, 07:24:36 AM
Quote from: klrwaffles on March 05, 2012, 07:19:18 AM

Now I'm on the phone to centurylink getting my dsl reconnected.  I thought I saw a question on what would happen to a dsl service if they ported a number.  The answer is, it gets disconnected.

Right, you have to get your DSL separated from your phone line BEFORE you port your number.  It's called a "dry loop". 

I posted the question awhile back about the DSL/Landline scenario. My T-Mobile Starter-kit arrived about 2 weeks after my order. Now, I finally have all my ducks in a row and getting ready to perform the port. I have called CenturyLink several times (I don't trust them) to see what is going to happen when I Port my landline away from my DSL. I was assured by each one of the CSR's (including one that appeared to be knowledgeable) that the DSL would remain, but it would be assigned a bogus billing phone number. My DSL and Phone service would not be interrupted, and the port would take approx 1 week going to T-Mobile. I asked if the service would be DOWN for a week, and was told that the PROCESS would take a week, but the cutover would take 5 minutes or so, long enough to enter the data into the system and 'trigger' the change.

So, now what do I do? Is my DSL really going to get disconnected or will it remain? Who can I talk to at Centurylink to make sure it doesn't get DQ'd? Now that the ducks are lined up, I hate to pull the trigger and lose my Internet service.

As far as the Sanity Check at GV, it currently only works for Mobile numbers, as far as I can tell. The check says that my Landline is not able to be ported to GV, but I can get GV-Lite. So, I assume if I first port to T-Mobile, I will be able to Port to GV, and the sanity check should then pass muster.

What am I missing here? Is the DSL disconnect FUD or a reality? Can we trust the Sanity Check for current Landline numbers or wait until they are Mobile before checking? Obviously, everyone can have a different experience in this process, some will behave as designed, some exceptions to the rules, and still others will have nightmares.

I am glad everyone is posting their nightmares, but we really need to hear more success stories too.

thanks
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Judgeless on March 07, 2012, 03:43:06 PM
Quote from: MrGadget on March 07, 2012, 12:19:11 PM
quote]I am glad everyone is posting their nightmares, but we really need to hear more success stories too.

I am very analytical and do a lot of reading before jumping into something like this.  My lack of understanding of how everything works burned me.  Here are some rules I learned.

1.) Google voice will only transfer numbers from cell providers.
2.) Moving your Landline to a cell provider does not guarantee that you can then port that number to Google Voice.
3) Go to http://www.telcodata.us/search-area-code-exchange-by-ratecenter-state?ratecenter=elyria&state=oh and enter your city and state.  If Bandwidth.com is not listed under your NPA-NXX you will not be able to port it to Google Voice form a cell carrier.
4) Never cancel your landline or cell line number before the port is complete.  Your original account will be closed after the port.
5) If you have DSL on the same account as the number you are porting it will stop working when the port occurs.  I ordered a second DSL line in the house with a new account before the port to keep the service going.

Hope this helps others.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: MrGadget on March 08, 2012, 10:40:34 AM
Quote
3) Go to http://www.telcodata.us/search-area-code-exchange-by-ratecenter-state?ratecenter=elyria&state=oh and enter your city and state.  If Bandwidth.com is not listed under your NPA-NXX you will not be able to port it to Google Voice form a cell carrier.

What do you mean? "If bandwidth.com is not listed under your NPA-NXX"
I don't see bandwidth.com listed under any entry, anywhere. If a landline is ported to a Cell company (i.e. T-Mobile), then GV should be able to port the number from the mobile carrier (T-Mobile). Correct?

I have Qwest/CenturyLink for my Landline/DSL, it is listed in the report, and in the dslreports as an RBOC. Also, the T-Mobile verify site allows a transfer from my current landline to mobile service.

Quote
5) If you have DSL on the same account as the number you are porting it will stop working when the port occurs.  I ordered a second DSL line in the house with a new account before the port to keep the service going.

Is this fact or your experience? Who was the original service provider for your DSL/Landline? Did they tell you in advance that your DSL would go dark and you needed to order a second DSL line?

...it's in the details.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Judgeless on March 08, 2012, 02:42:29 PM
Quote from: MrGadget on March 08, 2012, 10:40:34 AMIf a landline is ported to a Cell company (i.e. T-Mobile), then GV should be able to port the number from the mobile carrier (T-Mobile). Correct?

That is not correct.  My landline that I had for 20 years was listed as portable.  I moved it to T-Mobile.  I then went to Google voice and tried to move it from T-Mobile.  Google Voice gave me the error that they could not transfer the number.

Quote from: MrGadget on March 08, 2012, 10:40:34 AMIs this fact or your experience? Who was the original service provider for your DSL/Landline? Did they tell you in advance that your DSL would go dark and you needed to order a second DSL line?

This is what I read and this was my experience.  Windstream was my DSL/Landline provider. When my landline was transferred to T-Mobile my DSL went dead.  I read this was going to happen so I ordered a second DSL line and move my home network to it before the old line went dead.

You are right, it is in the details.  Based on what I read it seemed like and easy deal.  Get a pre pay SIM, transfer your landline, and then transfer the number to Google voice.  That did not work out for me.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: MrGadget on March 09, 2012, 11:52:04 AM
So, if your Landline-come-mobile didn't transfer to GV, what step are we missing to validate GV will accept the ported number? What is the deciding factor if a number will get ported to GV or not? The Sanity Check only validates MOBILE numbers. It would be a shame to give up your landline, and then find out that you are stuck with a mobile-only service.

On the DSL matter. I am trying to cover every angle here. Talked to several Centurylink CSR's, also talked to an installer, all seemed to be saying the same thing -- The DSL will remain intact, and the number will take about a week to port to T-Mobile. Check , double check, triple check, let's hope they do their job correctly!

Still gun-shy about the transfer from landline to Mobile to GV portion of this process. What other factors go into deciding if GV will accept a ported number or not? How can we perform due diligence on this process?  :-\
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Stewart on March 09, 2012, 05:39:51 PM
Quote from: MrGadget on March 09, 2012, 11:52:04 AMWhat other factors go into deciding if GV will accept a ported number or not? How can we perform due diligence on this process?  :-\
You can never be certain.  IMO, you should check with other VoIP providers to confirm that they can port your number, so it will have a good home if GV doesn't come through.  You can check Callcentric here http://www.callcentric.com/lnp/ .  You might also contact support at Anveo, VOIPo, etc. and ask if your number can be ported.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: MrGadget on March 10, 2012, 09:51:36 AM
QuoteYou can check Callcentric here http://www.callcentric.com/lnp/ .  You might also contact support at Anveo, VOIPo, etc. and ask if your number can be ported.

Thanks for the heads up. Sounds like a solid backup plan if GV fails to accommodate my needs. Just something else to do in my 'spare' time.

I assume the vendors you mentioned have similar features to GV. I especially like the 'follow-me' feature, ring all my phones until I pickup. I am primarily eliminating my office desk phone (always forwarded to mobile), but allows me to make reliable outgoing conference calls (no international) from Speakerphone and DECT phone. Trying to keep it low/no cost, if possible.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Judgeless on March 10, 2012, 11:43:39 AM
Quote from: MrGadget on March 10, 2012, 09:51:36 AM
QuoteYou can check Callcentric here http://www.callcentric.com/lnp/ .  You might also contact support at Anveo, VOIPo, etc. and ask if your number can be ported.

Thanks for the heads up. Sounds like a solid backup plan if GV fails to accommodate my needs. Just something else to do in my 'spare' time.

When I found out Google Voice would not transfer my number from T-Mobile I transferred the number to Callcentric.  They do not do electronic transfers and it takes 25 to 45 days to make the transfer.  They claim Mar 15 the transfer will happen. I hope this happens.  I have been working on this for 3 months.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: pug_ster on March 10, 2012, 02:36:25 PM
I have a question.  I got an old t-mobile activate kit and I am attempting to move from Vonage to t-mobile.  Considering that today is Saturday, will porting of the phone include Saturday or Sunday or it will happen only on Business days?  Thanks.

Edit.  My number got ported today (Wednesday) to T-mobile.  I called on Saturday.  But my bill cycle started on the 13th, so I have to pay another $38 to Vonage...
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: MrGadget on March 16, 2012, 10:51:08 AM
Quote from: pug_ster on March 10, 2012, 02:36:25 PM
But my bill cycle started on the 13th, so I have to pay another $38 to Vonage...

Most companies will refund 'unused' portion of your service. It may take awhile, but they should only charge you for the days up until canceled  (pro-rated). Maybe not Vonage, but other Telcos will.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Mikey_in_LA on May 04, 2012, 12:59:17 PM
I'm brand-new to Obi...I followed the OP's instructions (glad I kept that old GSM phone around), and I can confirm that my experience was virtually identical, with a few small differences...

-- I bought a T-Mobile pay-as-you-go SIM from their website -- but it was on sale for $.99, so it cost me $1.08, shipped.

-- For some reason, I was unable to register the SIM online, so I had to call T-Mobile and do it all by phone.

-- My T-Mobile account number was indeed the 10-digit phone number with a "1" prepended. And after my AT&T home phone ported over to the T-Mobile, the T-Mobile account number became my (old) ported phone number, with a "1" prepended.

-- I also got the "wrong PIN code" error message from GV after initiating the T-Mobile-->GV port, but it magically cleared itself up without me having to do anything.

-- The port from T-Mobile to GV didn't happen right at midnight...but it DID happen almost exactly 24 hours after I initiated it.

-- My home broadband (AT&T Uverse) did NOT disconnect when the home phone ported out. In my particular case (YMMV), they are two completely separate entities, despite being services of the same company.

All in, porting my home phone from AT&T-->T-Mobile-->GV cost me $21.08. Add the $49.99 for the OBi100, and the grand total was $71.07, which represents just under two months of the AT&T home phone service I've been paying for all these years...

...and it rings EVERY phone in my house, AND works perfectly with my Brinks (now ADT) alarm system.

I plan to add Callcentric 911 service, which will run $1.50/month, because I'm a belt-and-suspenders kind of guy...

...but even so, $1.50/mo. vs. $45.00/mo...not too shabby.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Mikey_in_LA on May 05, 2012, 12:10:16 AM
One weird thing, though...

I just turned on the T-Mobile cell phone -- the one that served as the "middleman" as I successfully ported my home landline from AT&T --> T-Mobile cell --> Google Voice.

Just for grins, I used the T-Mobile cell to call another cell phone...and the CallerID came up as my "Home Phone" -- in other words, my Home Phone number is currently in two places: Google Voice, and the T-Mobile cell.

Can I assume that this will eventually change? I mean, shouldn't T-Mobile's "hold" on the number eventually fizzle out?

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jimates on May 05, 2012, 12:29:44 AM
Once the port is 100% complete the cell should stop working.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Everton on May 05, 2012, 07:34:40 AM
How much testing have you done with your ADT Alarm System, since the switch over?  If you haven't done some extensive testing over many days, I would highly recommend it.  Did you have to do anything "special" to the OBi100 to have the Alarm System communicate successfully through GV with the ADT Central Station? 

I thought the Brinks System was proprietary and could only be monitored by Brink?  In other words, ADT would have to replace the panel with their own to get the system working?  BTW, do you know the model number of the ADT System that is installed?  Is it a Ademco VISTA 20P/21IP?, SafeWatch 2000/3000, etc.?


Quote from: Mikey_in_LA on May 04, 2012, 12:59:17 PM
.
.
.
...and it rings EVERY phone in my house, AND works perfectly with my Brinks (now ADT) alarm system.

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: kirnkorner2001 on May 11, 2012, 07:58:09 AM
I just had to create an account to post a big THANK YOU for this! We've had our home phone number for 17 years, and we didn't want to give it up.

I went to a T-Mobile store on Wednesday and got the cheapest prepaid phone with the cheapest plan. I even told the sales rep immediately that I wanted to port my home number to this mobile phone, and he got on with customer service to make it happen. I had a copy of my bill so I could give them my info right away to start the port process.  I was really concerned because we used Charter Communications for our home phone provider, but it went really smooth. For what it's worth, the cheapest phone is REALLY bad. I hate everything about it, but it's only temporary. I'm thinking it will make a good shotgun target ;D

I received a text the next morning that the port was complete. Calling out from the mobile phone showed the correct number, but calling the number still rang our home phone. I called T-Mobile, and they said the port would not be complete for up to 24 hours when I received the text. So I waited...

The port complete this morning. I started the process with Google Voice just an hour ago, so no word from them yet, but the port is started!

I'm super excited to be able to keep our number! This thread has been very valuable.  I will forward to anyone who is thinking of doing the same thing.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jerme on May 12, 2012, 02:13:37 PM
Ok my turn!  My number to be ported was previously a POTS number from Pacific Bell / SBC, which got ported to various cable bundles before making its way to Vonage.  Vonage sucks and OBihai is awesome so I wanted to port the number to GV and use it with the OBi110.

Porting method:  Vonage -> T-Mobile Prepaid -> Google Voice

Hardware requirements:  T-Mobile Prepaid SIM Activation Kit (http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit), unlocked GSM wireless phone

Day 1 (Saturday):  Ordered the T-Mobile SIM Card Activation Kit (http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit) from the T-Mobile website.  $6.99 - $5.00 "web only discount" = $1.99, plus tax, free shipping via USPS (with a tracking number, yay).  It has an initial $3.34 value.

Alternatives - I tried going to several T-Mobile stores earlier in the day, and just like everyone said here, the reps would not activate a SIM without putting minutes on it.  Prices ranged from $10-$20 for the activation kit, plus minutes.  There are also vendors on Amazon marketplace selling the same kit for ~$6 with free standard shipping (not Prime).

Day 5 (Thursday):  Received the SIM card and activation code in the mail.  Went to T-Mobile.com/PrepaidActivation (http://t-mobile.com/PrepaidActivation).  Activation code didn't work for some reason, so I called (877) 778-2107 with another phone and support gave me a new activation code.  Back on the website and filling out all the details (activation code, SIM number, IMEI from the unlocked phone, etc.), I was assigned a T-Mobile number.

Note: I already had an unlocked GSM phone lying around.  You'll need wireless phone, i.e., you can't complete the process by just purchasing the SIM kit.  Amazon has unlocked phones starting around $25.

Day 6 (Friday):  By early morning I received the text confirming the T-Mobile prepaid wireless line was activated.  Went to the TMo website to fill in account information for the new line.  Called (877) 789-3106 with another phone to initiate the Vonage-to-TMobile port, providing the rep my Vonage account number and PIN.  Called again 4 hours later to find out that Vonage holds the number for 10 days, which is in line with information found on this Vonage forum thread (https://forums.vonage.com/showthread.php?t=3857).  >:( Unfortunately landlines don't have the same time restriction for porting that wireless lines do, but at least the 10 day wait is during the middle of my billing cycle.

Note:  Do NOT run out the phone minutes.  You run the risk of losing the ported number should your account balance run out.


Day 15:  In the wee hours of the morning, I received text msg from T-mobile welcoming me to their network.  I logged into Google voice (I had created a dedicated account prior, which apparently solves a lot of issues with OBi devices) and initiated the port from TMo to GV, checking series of boxes confirming any possible risks during the porting process, typing my TMo acct number (1+the number to originally be ported), name, address.  I paid the $20 through Google Wallet, then returned to main screen.  At the top of the screen:

"You have a porting request in progress.  Click here to view the status."

I clicked the link, where I saw this message:

"Your request to port (XXX) XXX-XXXX has encountered an error.  Error Code:  Password/PIN required or incorrect(Prepaid PIN required)."

I filled in Billing Account Pin and Last 4 digits of account holder's Social Security Number.

Day 16:  Logged into my Google Voice account and noticed that the system had left me a message:

"Welcome to Google Voice. Google Voice gives you a single phone number that rings all of your phones, saves your voicemail online, and transcribes your voicemail to text. Other cool features include the ability to listen in on messages while they're being left, block unwanted callers, and make cheap international calls. We hope you enjoy using Google Voice. " The port was complete, 2 minutes shy of 24 hours.

In the afternoon I received an e-mail from Vonage confirming cancellation of account.  Also, by that time the T-Mobile line was no longer active.  Both prior accounts are inaccessible, but I'm going to keep an eye out for any charges Vonage may try to sneak in.


Just another drop in the bucket for this thread but methinks it'd be helpful for anybody else out there who is porting out of Vonage.  I didn't have to deal with Vonage customer service at all.  Aside from the SIM activation on TMo, everything went smoothly, just took a while with the Vonage 10 day waiting period.  Thanks Obihai and thanks OP!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: carolynm on May 17, 2012, 04:26:34 PM
I bought an OBI and successfully transferred my Verizon landline number to ATT gophone but now Google Voice says it doesn't currently support the area...

I have received calls on the go phone dialed to my original landline. Is there any chance there is some lag here ie GV doesn't see this as a mobile # yet?  Should I wait a day or two before I explore other options? FWIW I typed the # into Callcentric and it says it will port.

Is Verizon totally out of the loop or do I need to cancel?

Thanks for any assistance. I really wanted to get this # to GV.

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Stewart on May 26, 2012, 04:02:22 AM
Quote from: carolynm on May 17, 2012, 04:26:34 PMbut now Google Voice says it doesn't currently support the area...
What is the area code and next three digits of your present number?  Try entering them here: http://www.telcodata.us/search-area-code-exchange-detail .  Then, click the link under Rate Center and see whether Bandwidth.com shows up in the list.  If so, contacting Google may help.  If not, you are probably out of luck with GV, though given that CC can port your number, there are probably also several other alternatives.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Ostracus on May 26, 2012, 04:43:11 AM
Hmmm, has anyone ever tried with a Tracphone?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: MrGadget on June 08, 2012, 12:21:34 PM
Quote from: MrGadget on January 11, 2012, 03:03:25 PM

Stay tuned.



PHASE II (Porting)

It's been awhile (January 11, 2012) since I started to look into porting my office phone to Google Voice and the Obi. After reading some of the other horror story posts about failing to port properly, I decided to do additional investigation (alternative VOIP providers, emergency 3G Virgin Mobile Internet access, more verification...).

After additional calls to CenturyLink, and hearing the same porting process, I was assured that my DSL service would not be interrupted. OK. Time to pick a date, close to my billing cycle for the landline. Reviewed the tutorial from Obihai on "Number Porting to Google Voice". Made a checklist and timeline with the updated time estimates from T-Mobile and
Google Voice for porting to make sure I would not be inconvenienced. (since each port could take upto 7-10 days).

I am happy to report that the porting process (start to finish) was completed in 2 Days 4 Hours, and my DSL migrated to Naked DSL without incident (after 4 days). No horror stories, no issues. I take that back, Step 5.4, calling T-Mobile to initiate porting process was a royal pain. I had several phone numbers for T-Mobile Customer Support, including 1-877-937-8997 (DO NOT USE) resulted in a "Gold Rewards" AVR and the calls to India were unintelligible, loud, full of static. I placed about 4 calls until I could understand the CSR and place my order. Now it's time to discover all of the kewl features of GV and the OBI. Good luck on your endeavor.

Task   Complete   Description
1   Y/N   Contact TelCo, Verify DSL will remain after porting (as needed)
1.1   Y/N   Perform T-Mobile/GV Sanity Checks: (Can I port my number?)
1.2   Y/N   GV "Not available from your CURRENT carrier" (Good News) https://www.google.com/voice/porting?pli=1
1.3   Y/N   T-Mobile: "Yes, you can transfer to T-Mobile" (Also Good News) www.t-mobile.com/switch/default.aspx
2   Y/N   Obtain T-Mobile SIM  ($2.99, 10 minutes talk time or less)
2.1   Y/N   SIM Activation Code: XXXX XX XXXX
2.2   Y/N   SIM Card SN: xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxx
2.3   Y/N   Phone IMEI: (*#06#) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
2.4   Y/N   My Area Code: xxx, My ZIP: xxxxx My DOB: xxxxxxxx
2.5   Y/N   My T-Mobile PIN: xxxx
3   Y/N   Charge Battery on T-Mobile Phone
4   Y/N   Setup GMAIL account for new Google Voice (as needed)
4.1   Y/N   U:username P:password
4.2   Y/N   Support Info: alt-email, alt-security
4.3   Y/N   CREATE GOOGLE VOICE ACCOUNT. Get (temp) Number. (OPTIONAL)
5   Y/N   Activate SIM per instructions
5.1   Y/N   Insert T-Mobile SIM, call 1-877-778-2107 (from landline)
5.2   Y/N   Make test calls in and out (temporary number 1-xxx-xxx-xxxx)
5.3   Y/N   Setup T-Mobile Voicemail from LANDLINE (no minute charges)
5.31   Y/N   Call your new number, press: *, last 4 digits of cell, #
5.32   Y/N   Follow the prompts, setup new voicemail password.
5.4   Y/N   T-Mobile Port Number call 1-800-937-8997 (from landline)
5.5   Y/N   Obtain T-Mobile Call Confirmation # xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
6   Y/N   Wait 1 - 3 (7-10) days for T-Mobile to port from CO/POTS.
6.1   Y/N   Keep T-Mobile phone ON and CHARGED
6.2   Y/N   Receive TEXT on Cellphone, number ported successfully.
6.3   Y/N   Power phone OFF, Remove battery, replace, power ON
6.4   Y/N   Make BRIEF calls in and out from cell phone (validate number)
6.5   Y/N   Turn phone OFF after GV validation step 7.3 (unless you bought extra minutes).
6.6   Y/N   Access T-Mobile VOICEMAIL from LANDLINE as needed, see 5.31
7   Y/N   Port T-Mobile number to GV
7.1   Y/N   Login to Google Voice account, request Port Your Existing Number
7.2   Y/N   Receive call from GV, reply with special 2-digit code.
7.3   Y/N   Provide Account info, porting number 1-xxx-xxx-xxxx, Address, etc.
7.4   Y/N   Pay $20 fee into Google Wallet
7.5   Y/N   Select "GO BACK TO VOICE" Provide PIN + 4SSN
7.6   Y/N   Check GV Status - Verify confirmation, valid data submitted.
7.7   Y/N   Note: Be sure (pre-Port) GV number is forwarded to a working phone. (OPTIONAL)
7.8   Y/N   Access T-Mobile VOICEMAIL from LANDLINE as needed, see 5.31
8   Y/N   Wait 1-3 days for Google Voice to port number from T-Mobile.
9   Y/N   Update Google Voice with proper forwarding numbers.
10   Y/N   Add Google Voice to Obihai on a Service Provider port (SPn)
11      Completed
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Cyberchip on June 15, 2012, 02:30:42 PM
Have you ever had anyone get both messages with GV?

I got both:
Porting your mobile number to Google Voice is unavailable
Your mobile number can not be ported at this time.
- This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support for porting.
- We currently don't support porting from your carrier. We apologize and are working on adding support for more carriers.

I guess this means NO PORT.  As I would presume the "Area we don't support" supersedes the "your carrier" message.  Have you heard of this situation?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Frankfone on June 15, 2012, 02:39:14 PM
But I wonder if anybody knows if GV is going to start charging for their service or will continue to be free. It is nice of them to keep it free!!!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jimates on June 16, 2012, 11:28:57 PM
I transferred my sister's number to a trafone but google said it does not support the area. She wasn't really concerned about keeping the number but at least with it on a cell she has an announcement for callers that give her new number. Other wise they would have got no info when calling.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Fasttimes on July 10, 2012, 08:54:14 AM
Transfer from Vonage to tmobile took about 3 business days.  Transfer from tmobile to google voice almost exactly 24 hours.

Google voice took about 3 days to start receiving text messages.

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dial.tone on July 10, 2012, 07:35:25 PM
I'm in the process of porting my home phone to T-Mobile.  That should be done tomorrow.  After that, I will port the number to Google Voice.  However, the GV account I will port to already has a GV number and I will pay the extra $20 to keep it, so I will end up with a GV account with two GV numbers.  Here is the question: when I associate the GV account with my Obi202 device, how will Obi know which GV number to use?  For that matter, since I want to put one of the numbers on Obi SP1 and the other number on Obi SP2, how will I do that? 
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: QBZappy on July 10, 2012, 09:44:40 PM
dial.tone,

Quote from: dial.tone on July 10, 2012, 07:35:25 PM
so I will end up with a GV account with two GV numbers.  Here is the question: when I associate the GV account with my Obi202 device, how will Obi know which GV number to use?  For that matter, since I want to put one of the numbers on Obi SP1 and the other number on Obi SP2, how will I do that? 

Hi. I didn't even realize that you could have 2 GV numbers using one gmail acct. The OBi expects each Service Provider slot that gets configured with a GV account to use the following info to "Connect" with the service:
AuthUserName
AuthPassword

Hey wait a moment, I see a problem here.

Momentary Pause (http://ia600406.us.archive.org/1/items/onclassical-OC7Cs-twin/onclassical_luisi_mozart_sonate_10_C-major_330_1_akg_c-414.mp3) "Please enjoy this short intermission and relax to some soothing sounds as I read up on this."

OK I'm back. I was reading up on this. It seems GV rings your primary number even if someone calls the old GV number. So either way for incoming your OBi should ring if any of the two GV numbers are dialed. For outgoing it seems that the primary GV number handles the CID. Since each GV offers 2 voice channels I wonder if there is a way to get 4 voice channels in a setup like that.

(\ /) "Good question"
( . .)
c(")(")
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jimates on July 11, 2012, 06:53:13 AM
Everything works as if only one GV number existed. The "new" main number is used for both outgoing and incoming calls. Incoming calls to the old number will be forwarded (within google) to the new number.

So there will still only be 2 simultaneous sessions available. You can't set up the old number to use on the Obi.

Hey QBZappy, I finally reached 1000.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: ninhjo on August 02, 2012, 01:57:19 PM
Hi.  My wife already has a T-Mobile phone, and I plan to borrow hers to port our AT&T home number to GV.  I already ordered a different T-Mobile sim.  If I remove the existing sim from her phone and use the new sim I just purchased for the porting process, would it have any effect on her sim or her T-Mobile account?  Thanks.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jimates on August 02, 2012, 02:13:58 PM
No.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: ninhjo on August 02, 2012, 02:40:06 PM
Quote from: jimates on August 02, 2012, 02:13:58 PM
No.
Thank you so much for your quick response.  I was afraid that her T-Mobile account would get canceled after the porting process.  So I guess the two sims would function independently even used on the same phone, right?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on August 04, 2012, 08:53:12 AM
Quote from: ninhjo on August 02, 2012, 02:40:06 PM
Quote from: jimates on August 02, 2012, 02:13:58 PM
No.
Thank you so much for your quick response.  I was afraid that her T-Mobile account would get canceled after the porting process.  So I guess the two sims would function independently even used on the same phone, right?

Yes, same as the previous answer, although you asked it opposite from that one  ;).  The SIM provides the number / account identification to the network.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: velo.junkie on August 11, 2012, 08:32:16 AM
I'm happy to report my POTS number port from AT&T (formerly SBC/Pacific Bell) to T-mobile and then to Google Voice was successful. I only ran into two hitches.

The first was with T-Mobile. The initial person I spoke with (before being sent to porting) said I needed my account PIN to port my number. I told him I didn't have one, that it was a landline, and he said to call AT&T and get it. I did and was told there wasn't a PIN associated with my account (but I could add one - no thanks). I called T-Mobile back and was connected with the porting department. When asked for the PIN I just said there wasn't one and the port person said no problem. All I needed was my account number and my name and address EXACTLY as listed on my bill. The port went through about thirty-six hours after the initial request.

The second hitch was I received two "Oops! Issue with your Google Voice Number Porting Request" emails from GV. The first email was immediately after my initial port request and the second was almost two hours after the first email. I know my TMo account PIN was correct but I reset it anyhow (dialed 611 from phone) then submitted the info to Google again via the link provided in the email. I was confused about the request for the last four digits of my social security number because that wasn't info I gave when setting up my TMo Pay As You Go account; perhaps that's why GV emailed twice. Nonetheless, I filled in my last four (it's required) all three times (initial, first email, second email) and the port was successful almost exactly twenty-four hours after the initial port request.

My costs: used T-Mobile phone on Craigslist, $10; T-Mobile SIM, $.099; Google Voice port, $20.00; Obi110, $49.00; for a grand total of $79.99. My monthly AT&T home service (metered, no long distance) was $21.31, so in four months I'll have recouped costs.

One more thing... when I was on the phone with AT&T (landline) I asked if I'd still have 911 service if I disconnected my landline. I was put on hold while the rep checked, then was told yes, it would remain active on my line. Not sure how long that'll last, but I do still have a dial tone.

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: truelies on August 14, 2012, 03:50:00 PM
My landline service is called entouch in Texas. I checked on Tmobile link the number is portable to Tmobile. Can Entouch refuse to port it after I call in? I think maybe they want to keep me. Also google voice is free until the end of this year, for 2013 will they charge us money on OBI device?

So the procedure is:
1. buy an obi 110
2. port number to tmobile then gv
3. install obi 110 and make sure it works
4. cancel the landline

Is that correct?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on August 14, 2012, 05:33:42 PM
Quote from: truelies on August 14, 2012, 03:50:00 PM
My landline service is called entouch in Texas. I checked on Tmobile link the number is portable to Tmobile. Can Entouch refuse to port it after I call in? I think maybe they want to keep me. Also google voice is free until the end of this year, for 2013 will they charge us money on OBI device?

So the procedure is:
1. buy an obi 110
2. port number to tmobile then gv
3. install obi 110 and make sure it works
4. cancel the landline

Is that correct?
Is that correct?

Not exactly. When you do "2." to tmobile, it automatically does "4."  You will not have both the ported number to TMob and a landline number. Well, you will have both for about 24 or 48 hours, but that is temporary until your landline provider catches up with the automatic cancellation request from the port.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: pc44 on August 16, 2012, 05:41:59 AM
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on August 14, 2012, 05:33:42 PMIs that correct?

Not exactly. When you do "2." to tmobile, it automatically does "4."  You will not have both the ported number to TMob and a landline number. Well, you will have both for about 24 or 48 hours, but that is temporary until your landline provider catches up with the automatic cancellation request from the port.

Correct, but it can't hurt to contact your landline provider and make sure that they have completely cancelled your account billing at stage 4 of the above list.  Call me distrusting, but I could easily see 'certain' landline providers continuing to bill for some service or another -- even after the number has been ported away.

pc44
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on August 16, 2012, 09:45:07 AM
Quote from: pc44 on August 16, 2012, 05:41:59 AM
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on August 14, 2012, 05:33:42 PMIs that correct?

Not exactly. When you do "2." to tmobile, it automatically does "4."  You will not have both the ported number to TMob and a landline number. Well, you will have both for about 24 or 48 hours, but that is temporary until your landline provider catches up with the automatic cancellation request from the port.

Correct, but it can't hurt to contact your landline provider and make sure that they have completely cancelled your account billing at stage 4 of the above list.  Call me distrusting, but I could easily see 'certain' landline providers continuing to bill for some service or another -- even after the number has been ported away.

pc44

I'll begrudgingly agree here.  I've successfully ported two landlines to Tmob then to GV. Both worked without any problems. However I was suspicious about the 'is everything really cancelled' part.

In both my cases it was, and the confirmation I used was to login to the online 'account access' for each cancelled line.

A few days after the cancellation the online account showed nothing different, a few more days it showed a credit (a few $$ the phone company owed me), another few days it couldn't find the current bill (I took this to mean the account was slowly disappearing from their computer systems). And again after a few more days I got an email (had previously signed up to 'get an email notification when a new bill is available') saying new bill is available with -$12.xx due. Which was confusing, the minus didn't register as a credit at first. Nor was it clear in the online bill. So I waited a few more days and a paper bill showed up, still showed -$12.xx as amount due, it did show 'do not pay', and had in small print "final bill". Then a week or so later got a paper check for $12.xx from the phone company, which was even more mysterious on the outside, because it showed 'treasury department' as the return address.  

On the second line, it was more or less the same, except I owed the ILEC about the same amount as they owed me for the cancellation from the first line, about $14.00.  It seems that for my local phone company some categories of monthly charges are billed afterwards (metered usage) and some are billed forward (some govt fees and taxes, and basic service?).  For the first cancellation, I did the move to TMob midway into the billing cycle, for the second one I did the move to Tmob one day after the billing cycle closed (timing was purely by accident, TMob took from a Friday night to following Tuesday evening to port).

EDIT: I did the porting/cancellation of the second line about three weeks after doing the first line.

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: pc44 on August 16, 2012, 07:24:00 PM
CoalMinerRetired,

Ahh... two good experiences there.  Glad those went well.  Perhaps the problems I described are not that common after all.  I just am not very trusting of some of the large landline providers' billing departments.  Hopefully, the bad incidents are a rare commodity.  Thanks for your feedback... helps me see something other than only the dark side. :)

pc44
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on August 16, 2012, 08:14:34 PM
pc44,

Here's a good write-up from the Number Portability Administration Center (NPAC), which is the quasi-governmental/industry clearing house and administrator for Local Number Portability (LNP): http://www.npac.com/number-portability/the-npac-neustar-lnp

Two other links from that website:
How LNP Works: http://www.npac.com/number-portability/how-lnp-works - scroll down to the section titled Steps in the LNP Porting Process. 

Local Number Portability:http://www.npac.com/number-portability - a few good descriptions on this page.

What this all means to me is LNP is mandated by, and terms and conditions are dictated by the feds. In particular the FCC. Phone companies live and die by govt regulations, and for the most part when the FCC dictates the phone cos fall in line and do as told. I've heard it described as, it's not pretty but it works. 

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: knave on August 17, 2012, 11:34:52 AM
Thanks all for this thread! Porting number from Vonage to T-Mobile prepaid was very smooth for me, 2 business days start to finish. T-Mobile to GV was even easier, only had to wait 24 hours, without having to talk to a human.

And the T-Mobile SIM cards are only $0.99 with free shipping right now, and since they don't expire for ~3 years, so I bought an extra one just in case....
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on August 17, 2012, 02:14:06 PM
Quote from: knave on August 17, 2012, 11:34:52 AM
And the T-Mobile SIM cards are only $0.99 with free shipping right now, and since they don't expire for ~3 years, so I bought an extra one just in case....
I did the same. If you want to be ultra cheap about it, someone in a T-Mob store said "we give them free to current customers." So if you can get into a store during that 24 to 48 hour period when you are a current customer (the time when your landine is on a T-Mobile cell phone), you can perhaps get a free one, for future use.

I also found out the T-Mob stores charge more than the listed price on the T-mob website. Website has them marked down from $6.99 to 0.99, but T-Mob retail store charge $10 or $12, explanation was 'we charge more than the web site.'
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: truelies on August 18, 2012, 02:09:13 PM
Requested port to tmobile last night, nothing happened until now. Maybe they don't do port at weekend?
I heard some number can't be ported to GV. If the number can't port, will Google refund me the $20 fee? $20 for porting a number is not cheap.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on August 18, 2012, 04:40:56 PM
Quote from: truelies on August 18, 2012, 02:09:13 PM
Requested port to tmobile last night, nothing happened until now. Maybe they don't do port at weekend?
I heard some number can't be ported to GV. If the number can't port, will Google refund me the $20 fee? $20 for porting a number is not cheap.
When you port from TMob to GV, the GV setup process first checks 'number eligibility', and only if your number can be ported are you prompted to pay the $20 fee. Which only makes sense, why would someone or something charge you for a service they cannot provide. If you search, some people have taken screen images of the process, which is quick and painless, IME.

You do bring up a point, you do not know if your landline will port to GV until you get it ported to TMob. You've take a small leap of faith in going landline to TMob.

So what are the options if TMob cannot port to GV? Several: 1) Port to some other low cost VoIP providers (CallCentric, voip.ms, Skype, etc., etc) or 2) port back to your landline provider, or 3) port to some other landline provider. Form what I read, the only providers that charge you for porting are GV and the VoIP providers.  Cellular providers and landline providers do not charge to port in or out, they can if they choose to do so, and there are probably some rare exceptions that do charge.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: worthmining on August 23, 2012, 09:36:27 PM
Has anyone tried to turn on two phase authentication on google and tested with obitalk?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: truelies on August 24, 2012, 08:59:04 AM
After one week, still didn't port to Tmobile. Called Tmobile they said that they porting system currently not work, needs about 1-5 days to fix it. My landline not working, dsl works.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: truelies on August 28, 2012, 09:03:16 AM
Today my number was ported to tmobile, but after I went to google voice, it shows

Porting your mobile number to Google Voice is unavailable
Your mobile number can not be ported at this time.
- This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support for porting.

Does this mean I will lost this number? I think it's a tmobile problem, will wait a few days to see if it works.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: truelies on August 28, 2012, 11:44:04 AM
Quote from: Judgeless on March 07, 2012, 03:43:06 PM
Quote from: MrGadget on March 07, 2012, 12:19:11 PM
quote]I am glad everyone is posting their nightmares, but we really need to hear more success stories too.

I am very analytical and do a lot of reading before jumping into something like this.  My lack of understanding of how everything works burned me.  Here are some rules I learned.

1.) Google voice will only transfer numbers from cell providers.
2.) Moving your Landline to a cell provider does not guarantee that you can then port that number to Google Voice.
3) Go to http://www.telcodata.us/search-area-code-exchange-by-ratecenter-state?ratecenter=elyria&state=oh and enter your city and state.  If Bandwidth.com is not listed under your NPA-NXX you will not be able to port it to Google Voice form a cell carrier.
4) Never cancel your landline or cell line number before the port is complete.  Your original account will be closed after the port.
5) If you have DSL on the same account as the number you are porting it will stop working when the port occurs.  I ordered a second DSL line in the house with a new account before the port to keep the service going.

Hope this helps others.


That's not true, my 281-778 listed under NPA-NXX, but can't port.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on August 28, 2012, 07:42:06 PM
Quote from: truelies on August 28, 2012, 09:03:16 AM
Today my number was ported to tmobile, but after I went to google voice, it shows

Porting your mobile number to Google Voice is unavailable
Your mobile number can not be ported at this time.
- This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support for porting.

Does this mean I will lost this number? I think it's a tmobile problem, will wait a few days to see if it works.
Why you think you would lose your number if you keep your pre-paid TMobile account funded? TMobile has some restrictions on this (six months of non-use and you do lose the number), you'd be wise to get familar with those if you're worried about losing the number.

The worst case here is you can port the number back to a landline in your house. The middle ground tradeoff case is you port to a VoIP provider other than GV, and pay a monthly fee.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on August 29, 2012, 08:24:15 AM
Quote from: truelies on August 24, 2012, 08:59:04 AM
After one week, still didn't port to Tmobile. Called Tmobile they said that they porting system currently not work, needs about 1-5 days to fix it. My landline not working, dsl works.

I suspect your issue is with T-Mobile and their current porting system problems.  You should pursue this with them.  All the porting info that users of OBiTalk have is already posted on these forums - how to check your number, etc.  It sounds like the database that Google is looking at is not showing things correctly.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: truelies on August 29, 2012, 08:39:54 AM
Quote from: Rick on August 29, 2012, 08:24:15 AM
Quote from: truelies on August 24, 2012, 08:59:04 AM
After one week, still didn't port to Tmobile. Called Tmobile they said that they porting system currently not work, needs about 1-5 days to fix it. My landline not working, dsl works.

I suspect your issue is with T-Mobile and their current porting system problems.  You should pursue this with them.  All the porting info that users of OBiTalk have is already posted on these forums - how to check your number, etc.  It sounds like the database that Google is looking at is not showing things correctly.

Tmobile already ported my number to them, but GV can port to them because of area not support problem.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jimates on August 29, 2012, 09:18:43 AM
It is quite possible that a number can remain showing as a land line even after porting to a mobile provider. Perhaps google is still seeing it as a land line.

I don't know how to remedy it unless T-mobile can do something since they now own the number.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: truelies on August 29, 2012, 09:46:37 AM
Quote from: jimates on August 29, 2012, 09:18:43 AM
It is quite possible that a number can remain showing as a land line even after porting to a mobile provider. Perhaps google is still seeing it as a land line.

I don't know how to remedy it unless T-mobile can do something since they now own the number.

I am sure this not the case since it shows 'area' error instead of 'carrier' error.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jimates on August 29, 2012, 10:22:49 AM
Quote from: truelies on August 29, 2012, 09:46:37 AM
Quote from: jimates on August 29, 2012, 09:18:43 AM
It is quite possible that a number can remain showing as a land line even after porting to a mobile provider. Perhaps google is still seeing it as a land line.

I don't know how to remedy it unless T-mobile can do something since they now own the number.

I am sure this not the case since it shows 'area' error instead of 'carrier' error.
That is the generic error message.
You can put your number in here and see if it is already registered with T-Mobile
https://www.wirelessamberalerts.org/index.jsp.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: truelies on August 29, 2012, 11:17:43 AM
Yes. It shows 'Wireless Telephone Number: 281-778-****'

Carrier: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on September 08, 2012, 07:16:19 AM
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on August 16, 2012, 09:45:07 AM
Quote from: pc44 on August 16, 2012, 05:41:59 AM
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on August 14, 2012, 05:33:42 PMIs that correct?

Not exactly. When you do "2." to tmobile, it automatically does "4."  You will not have both the ported number to TMob and a landline number. Well, you will have both for about 24 or 48 hours, but that is temporary until your landline provider catches up with the automatic cancellation request from the port.

Correct, but it can't hurt to contact your landline provider and make sure that they have completely cancelled your account billing at stage 4 of the above list.  Call me distrusting, but I could easily see 'certain' landline providers continuing to bill for some service or another -- even after the number has been ported away.

pc44

I'll begrudgingly agree here.  I've successfully ported two landlines to Tmob then to GV. Both worked without any problems. However I was suspicious about the 'is everything really cancelled' part.

In both my cases it was, and the confirmation I used was to login to the online 'account access' for each cancelled line.

A few days after the cancellation the online account showed nothing different, a few more days it showed a credit (a few $$ the phone company owed me), another few days it couldn't find the current bill (I took this to mean the account was slowly disappearing from their computer systems). And again after a few more days I got an email (had previously signed up to 'get an email notification when a new bill is available') saying new bill is available with -$12.xx due. Which was confusing, the minus didn't register as a credit at first. Nor was it clear in the online bill. So I waited a few more days and a paper bill showed up, still showed -$12.xx as amount due, it did show 'do not pay', and had in small print "final bill". Then a week or so later got a paper check for $12.xx from the phone company, which was even more mysterious on the outside, because it showed 'treasury department' as the return address.  

On the second line, it was more or less the same, except I owed the ILEC about the same amount as they owed me for the cancellation from the first line, about $14.00.  It seems that for my local phone company some categories of monthly charges are billed afterwards (metered usage) and some are billed forward (some govt fees and taxes, and basic service?).  For the first cancellation, I did the move to TMob midway into the billing cycle, for the second one I did the move to Tmob one day after the billing cycle closed (timing was purely by accident, TMob took from a Friday night to following Tuesday evening to port).

EDIT: I did the porting/cancellation of the second line about three weeks after doing the first line.
I've got one more addition to add to the payment/refund thing with the cancellation of my second line.

Just this week I got another paper bill for the cancelled second line, and on the same day also received a refund check in the mail from ILEC.  This time they paid me $9 and some change.

Why they earlier had me pay $14 was not explained, other than some line items on the bill showed a negative amount, the total off which was $9 + change. This latest bill showed "Revised Final Bill".  Why they could not have figured this out when they send the earlier 'final bill' and reduced the amount owed by  $9 + change is a big mystery. And it goes to show that no one really knows what all these vague and ambiguous sounding charges on traditional land-line phone bill carriers really are or how they are billed or metered. Gross Receipts Tax Surcharge, Carrier Cost Recovery Fee, Subscriber Line and Access Recovery Fee, and on and on.

Only in the land of regulated telephone providers much too cozy with state and federal regulators do you get surcharges on taxes paid, and purposely vague line items on bills in small, unassuming amounts, purpose-built to be insignificant so that consumers don't question the charges each month.  If the ILECs devoted as much time and effort to product and technical innovations as they do to "lawyering up" on the management of regulations and lobbying the regulators, then the ILECs would be where the VoIP providers are today.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: prflat on September 14, 2012, 09:44:40 AM
Upon getting Error Code:  Your phone number's carrier has rejected your port request. Please contact your carrier to proceed with this port

I quickly did like it asks, and contacted T-Mobile.  After spending many hours (now days) on the phone with every imaginable department on every Continent.  Double checking, re-entering, quadrillion checking, cancelling and re-porting many times... they conclude that it is something on the Google Voice side.  They say everything is perfect and ready to port.  So wadda I do?  Any suggestions? 

Thanks in advance!
- prflat
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jimates on September 14, 2012, 01:46:36 PM
http://support.google.com/voice/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1065667&topic=1708418&ctx=topic

Try the google voice help forum
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!categories/voice/porting-a-number-to-google-voice
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jimates on September 14, 2012, 02:01:52 PM
I saw this posted on the google help forum

How to get the billing account PIN for a TMOBILE prepaid account

1. Use your phone to call 611.
2. Say manage my account.
3. Create bill account PIN.
4. Enter 4 digit for your PIN.
5. Verify your PIN
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: prflat on September 14, 2012, 02:08:26 PM
Quote from: jimates on September 14, 2012, 02:01:52 PM
I saw this posted on the google help forum

How to get the billing account PIN for a TMOBILE prepaid account

1. Use your phone to call 611.
2. Say manage my account.
3. Create bill account PIN.
4. Enter 4 digit for your PIN.
5. Verify your PIN

Thanks Jimates,  I already had a PIN setup before I tried to port the first time.  Since then, among many many many other things I have tried, I had reset and confirmed the pin more than once.   Not sure what else to try at this point.  Maybe re-charging the T-Mobile account with the min $ amount?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: prflat on September 14, 2012, 02:40:42 PM
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/7986669940_3a6efbb2dc_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: QBZappy on September 14, 2012, 02:58:53 PM
prflat,

They may not allow you to port until you have settled their account in full.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: prflat on September 14, 2012, 05:09:19 PM
Quote from: QBZappy on September 14, 2012, 02:58:53 PM
prflat,

They may not allow you to port until you have settled their account in full.

Yea, I just keep trying again every day, but I'm about to run out of pre-paid minutes.  Like I said, I spent hours and hours on the phone with many departments in TM, but mostly talking to their porting department specialists.  Everyone (including the billing folks) said that everything was in "perfect order" on my TM account and there is no reason that they could see why this would happening.  We even re entered every bit of information on the account, even the unnecessary stuff.  No go... they where convinced it was something on GV side.  On the GV side I have even cancelled and re-initiated the port several times... still no go...  but on the bright side,  I LOVE our OBi, great product!!!

Any Ideas?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on September 14, 2012, 05:27:44 PM
If it really is an issue on the GV side, you'll have better luck posting on the GV forums listed above. Note that GV does not have a customer service phone number where you can talk to a live person, the only way to interact with them in via the forums.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: prflat on September 14, 2012, 06:24:55 PM
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on September 14, 2012, 05:27:44 PM
If it really is an issue on the GV side, you'll have better luck posting on the GV forums listed above. Note that GV does not have a customer service phone number where you can talk to a live person, the only way to interact with them in via the forums.

Yea, I posted it there first... no replies, so I figured maybe someone else here had seen a similar issue/fix.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: prflat on September 29, 2012, 08:28:38 PM
FIXED... WhooHoo!!!  :D ;D

The problem, as I suspected, was on the T-Mobile side. But man, they (T-Mobile) where no help at all, very friendly, but absolutely no help.  After another 2 weeks of phone calls and trouble shooting, suspecting something was goofed on my T-Mobile account;

Like someone said,  it's a lot of work being this cheap... err frugal  8)

3 weeks of torture but it is all worth it!!!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: OBeABearr on October 21, 2012, 07:02:29 PM
I'll add my experience. Moving from landline to Google Voice took 9 days from start to finish. The main issue I had was with Google Wallet.

I ported my landline to T-Mobile on the afternoon of Thursday, October 11th. I could dial out on the T-Mobile phone starting the morning of Saturday the 13th, but phone calls in still went to the landline. The service stayed "dual-homed" like this until Tuesday the 16th. T-Mobile support was sympathetic but said that they were waiting on my landline carrier to complete the port.

Tuesday night I created a new Google account to use with my phone, and set up Google Wallet. I then walked through the porting procedure in Google Voice. When I went to pay with Google Wallet, I got the following error:

Uh oh. There was a problem. We couldn't complete your purchase because of a technical issue.

I tried several more times over the next day but had the same problem. Wednesday night I called Google Wallet support. I was told that the account was under review and that I should be able to use the Google Wallet account after 24 hours. However, by Friday night the account was still under review, and the review was not expected to be completed until after the weekend.

What I eventually learned is that because I had previously used the same credit card on a different Google account that the account had been flagged for review. I was told by multiple Google Wallet support staff that the account was under review, not the card; adding a different credit card to the Google Wallet account would not expedite the process. Google Wallet support gave me conflicting information on how long the review should take, varying from a few hours, to 24 hours, to 72 hours, to an unknown length of time.

Fortunately, I had another credit card that I could use, and so Friday night I abandoned the Google account that I had planned to use and created a new Google account. I set up Google Wallet on this account using my second credit card. I was able to pay for the number port to this new account, and within 24 hours (the afternoon of October 20) the port was complete.

tl;dr: Set up your Google Wallet using a credit card that has never been used with another Google Wallet account, or be prepared to wait at least 72 hours for the card to be able to be used with the new account to pay for the port.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Daugpack on November 10, 2012, 08:46:58 PM
OK, I've looked through 7 pages of this thread to make sure it hasn't already been answered...

I'm hoping to port my "landline" number (which is currently on MagicJack).  GV won't take it from them, so I was hoping to port to a cell phone and then to GV.

Has anyone used Verizon Wireless to run the number through? I'm sure I've got some flip phone around here that I can set up with a prepaid plan, and then port to it, then port it to Obi.

Does anyone see any obvious issues I'm overlooking - before I start the process?

Thanks so much.  If this works, I'll be THRILLED.

(Not so thrilled with MJ.)

Kathi
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on November 11, 2012, 12:21:07 PM
Quote from: Daugpack on November 10, 2012, 08:46:58 PM
OK, I've looked through 7 pages of this thread to make sure it hasn't already been answered...

I'm hoping to port my "landline" number (which is currently on MagicJack).  GV won't take it from them, so I was hoping to port to a cell phone and then to GV.

Has anyone used Verizon Wireless to run the number through? I'm sure I've got some flip phone around here that I can set up with a prepaid plan, and then port to it, then port it to Obi.

Does anyone see any obvious issues I'm overlooking - before I start the process?

Thanks so much.  If this works, I'll be THRILLED.

(Not so thrilled with MJ.)

Kathi

Cost.  I bought an ATT flip phone, with SIM card, for $5 last year.  The 10 minutes of service it came with was sufficient.

T-Mobile SIM cards are often free, or $.99, worse case $4.99.  If you know someone with a T-Mobile phone you can go that route.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: valley_nomad on November 15, 2012, 04:23:12 PM
Trying to port my landline number from RCN VOIP to GV. Got T-Mobile Sim card, activated the pay-as-you-go account and requested the transfer almost one week ago. Just found out today that T-mobile cancelled my transfer request for no reason. Restarted the request again. But was told that the transfer now may take up to 7 days to complete because it is a landline number  :o
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: RMVA on November 15, 2012, 04:31:52 PM
I ported my home number from Phonepower VOIP -> T-Mobile prepaid -> GV.

Day  1  : Ordered T-Mobile SIM Activation kit
Day  2  : Kit was shipped
Day  6  : Kit received
             Activated online. Chose to port number during activation, skipped 'temporary #'.
Day  7  : Got call from T-Mobile LNP dept to confirm details.
Day 12 : Porting to t-mobile complete in morning
            Entered GV port order in evening
            Got "Incorrect PIN error"
            There's no form to update request
Day 13 : Checked porting status page updated with "form" enter PIN, Updated request
Day 14 : Porting to GV completed today.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on November 16, 2012, 05:55:44 AM
Quote from: RMVA on November 15, 2012, 04:31:52 PM
I ported my home number from Phonepower VOIP -> T-Mobile prepaid -> GV.

Day  1  : Ordered T-Mobile SIM Activation kit
Day  2  : Kit was shipped
Day  6  : Kit received
             Activated online. Chose to port number during activation, skipped 'temporary #'.
Day  7  : Got call from T-Mobile LNP dept to confirm details.
Day 12 : Porting to t-mobile complete in morning
            Entered GV port order in evening
            Got "Incorrect PIN error"
            There's no form to update request
Day 13 : Checked porting status page updated with "form" enter PIN, Updated request
Day 14 : Porting to GV completed today.

People normally don't include the shipment of the SIM card in the porting timeline.  ;)

Your porting took 5 days to get to T-Mobile, then 24 hours to Google Voice (once you provided the PIN).  That's entirely normal.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: soundview on November 17, 2012, 06:29:19 AM
I am getting the dreaded "Error Code: Your phone number's carrier has rejected your port request. Please contact your carrier to proceed with this port." message from GV!

At this time, the official Obi tutorial is outdated. When you initiate a GV port request, it never asks for the 4 digit pin during the initial process. This guarantees you will get rejected on your first try. So after seeing the first rejection, you now get to enter your 4 digit pin.  But wait, there's more!  GV also asks for the last 4 digits of your SS# - WTF? I have no stinkin SS# on my cheap prepaid but they want it in order to proceed.

After an hour of searching online, I think you are supposed to enter the same 4 digits as your pin. (ie. if your PIN is 1234, you put in 1234 as the last 4 digits of your SS#).  Simple yes? NO ... I'm stuck on the error code at the top of this post. Anyone, please correct me if you have better info.

I called T-mobile and they were nice but no help. Nothing wrong here, you need to talk to your new carrier. But they said to contact you!

I tried cancelling the port and retrying. Still no joy. So what should I do - start over with a new SIM and T-mobile account like someone earlier did and reported success?

Sorry for the rant but I wanted to call attention to the flaws in the current GV porting process.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on November 17, 2012, 06:39:34 AM
Did you try the last 4 of your SSN?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: soundview on November 17, 2012, 07:00:44 AM
 :D I did indeed and it does not work. Not surprising because when you activate a T-mobile prepaid account, you are never asked for your SS#.

Update to previous post:  The T-mobile account number for prepaid is 1 plus your phone number. Thus if your phone number is 345-678-9000, your account number is 13456789000. If this is incorrect, please let me know!!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on November 17, 2012, 09:38:38 AM
Quote from: soundview on November 17, 2012, 06:29:19 AM
At this time, the official Obi tutorial is outdated. When you initiate a GV port request, it never asks for the 4 digit pin during the initial process. This guarantees you will get rejected on your first try. So after seeing the first rejection, you now get to enter your 4 digit pin.  But wait, there's more!  GV also asks for the last 4 digits of your SS# - WTF? I have no stinking SS# on my cheap prepaid but they want it in order to proceed.

I'm not so sure that is correct (bolded part). You get different screens and GV asks for different things based on what carrier you are porting from. For example, porting from T-Mob prepaid it never prompts for your pin, but it does come back a few screens later in the process and say "error, wrong pin/no pin, please provide it here...".  This are my observations based on four ports in the past few months, two of my own (both T-Mob), two from the neighbors, one of which was from T-Mob.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: soundview on November 17, 2012, 10:13:07 AM
As CMR pointed out, YMMV. My experience is from two GV port attempts in the past week from prepaid T-mobile. I never saw an error screen for wrong pin / no pin - I use chrome as my browser FWIW. Is it possible I somehow missed the screen?

First indication there is a problem is when clicking the port status link on the google voice home page. If it were not for that link, I would never know there was an error with my GV port.

I am off to activate a new SIM and start over which seems to have worked for prflat. I'll report back here the results.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: soundview on November 18, 2012, 01:19:05 PM
 ??? Following prflat's previously posted advice, I activated new prepaid sim card and created new T-mobile account. When I called to do a T-mob to T-mob number transfer, I'm told they cannot transfer the phone number associated with my first sim card to the new account on the new sim card until it has been active for 30 days since it is brand new. Even if I had the patience to wait that long, there is not guarantee that the GV port will work from the new account.

So ... I guess I'm stuck having to use a real VOIP provider if I want to keep my old phone number or leaving my old number on a cell for 30+ days ...  :'(

I do envy you who had a smooth GV porting experience!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: soundview on November 20, 2012, 12:24:02 PM
 ;D SUCCESS!!

Being an OCD geek, I kept hammering away at resending my PIN/SSN 2,3,4 times an hour. Then in the chill morning darkness at 5:30 am, I reached for my iPad, reentered my info and to my utter surprise the error rejection message didn't appear. I reloaded the status page and sure enough the rejection message was gone. I breathlessly waited for 24 hours for the port to take place not daring to peek at the status (OK, I peeked) .... only it didn't.  GV underwent a widespread technical problem which stalled all port in requests. Another tortuous 32 hours later on the GV support forum, my port was successful.

As I toss all my scribbled notes, SIM cards and other material, here is what you need to know to port from T-mobile prepaid to GV.


Since ultimately I don't know what made the rejection error go away, I also did the following. Called T-Mobile and had them fill in my full name and address on the billing account for my prepaid. Changed my PIN number from the initial one during activation to a new one. Neither of those things fixed the problem and my gut tells me it was only my persistent clicking that finally broke through. FWIW, I started on Friday, canceled and resubmitted on Saturday and it was early Monday morning when I finally got an error free retry. Good luck and peace out.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: BrianH-MN on November 21, 2012, 08:30:20 PM
I successfully ported my number from Vonage to Google Voice using a T-Mobile prepaid SIM card in just a few days without any major problems.

Here are the steps that I followed:

Friday 3:00 PM: Started the process online with the information that I found in the prepaid T-Mobile SIM Activation Kit

Tuesday 3:00 PM: Received a text message to say the number porting was complete and the T-Mobile account was all setup.

Tuesday 3:30 PM: I used the Google Voice website to begin the porting process by entering all of the requested information. A few minutes later, I checked the port status on the Google site and it indicated an error with the PIN. I checked my email and found a message with a link to correct the problem and try again.

Before continuing, I followed these steps to create a PIN for my T-Mobile account.

1. Use your phone to call 611.
2. Say manage my account.
3. Create bill account PIN.
4. Enter 4 digit for your PIN.
5. Verify your PIN.

After that was completed, I followed the link in the email and started the number porting process again using my newly created PIN without any issues.

Wednesday 3:20 PM: I received an email to say the number porting was complete and everything is working as expected. 

Overall, the process was straightforward and the information that I found in this forum was a great help.

Thanks everyone!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: yakov on December 09, 2012, 08:17:15 AM
I successfully ported my number from AT&T land line to Google Voice using a T-Mobile prepaid SIM card in just a few days without any major problems.

DAY 1 (Wednesday) evening: Started the transfer to T-Mobile at the time of activation of the prepaid T-Mobile SIM card (bypassing the temporary number). I used my existing T-Mobile locked (subsidized, on a non-expired contract) phone, so for the next several days I was swapping between my "main" and this "prepaid" SIM cards.

DAY 3 (Friday) evening: Got a text message on T-Mobile "Your number has been transferred". But T-Mobile handset doesn't ring yet on incoming calls. Google says can't port from my provider. A check at https://www.wirelessamberalerts.org/index.jsp shows the number is NOT a T-Mobile one yet.

DAY 4 (Saturday) morning: T-mobile phone rings on incoming calls. A check at https://www.wirelessamberalerts.org/index.jsp shows the number is recognized as a T-Mobile one. Google says OK to port.

Before continuing, I followed these steps to create a PIN for my T-Mobile account.
1. Use your phone to call 611.
2. Say manage my account.
3. Create bill account PIN.
4. Enter 4 digit for your PIN. (I inputted the same PIN that I created at the SIM activation time).
5. Verify your PIN.

Immediately started porting to a fresh new Google voice account. GV never asked me about my T-Mobile PIN or last 4 SSN.

Immediately received an email "Oops! Issue with your Google Voice Number Porting Request", GV says "Error Code: Password/PIN required or incorrect(Prepaid PIN required)".  I enter my T-Mobile PIN and my REAL last 4 SSN (did NOT input the T-Mobile PIN in both fields).

DAY 5 (Sunday) morning: I received an email to say the number porting was complete and everything is working as expected.

Overall, the process was straightforward and the information that I found in this forum was a great help.

Thanks everyone!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on December 09, 2012, 08:49:22 AM
Nice summary. Your experience is the norm, including the GV error message "Password/PIN required or incorrect blah blah blah" when going from T-Mobile.

Can you elaborate on the point copied below, please? How did you bypass having to initialize a new SIM card with a temporary number?  I read in several places, and understood from two landline to T-Mobile ports I did, T-mobile did not allow that very practice. 

The process when I ported was initialize with temporary number, then you must call a T-Mob customer service number to begin a port, there was no way to do that online. Maybe it's changed, which will be nice to know for future use.

Quote from: yakov on December 09, 2012, 08:17:15 AM

DAY 1 (Wednesday) evening: Started the transfer to T-Mobile at the time of activation of the prepaid T-Mobile SIM card (bypassing the temporary number).
.
.
.


Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: frg3 on December 13, 2012, 10:20:35 AM
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on December 09, 2012, 08:49:22 AM


Can you elaborate on the point copied below, please? How did you bypass having to initialize a new SIM card with a temporary number?  I read in several places, and understood from two landline to T-Mobile ports I did, T-mobile did not allow that very practice. 

I did the same (bypass temporary number). After inputting imei, sim, and activation code on the second page where you fill out your area code, t-mobile pin code etc. it gives you the option to get a new number or transfer (then lists account number attached to number).
My experience this week:
number 1:
1. Sun 12pm, activate online and request port online
2. Tues 10 am, receive text from t-mobile 'transfer complete'
3. Tues 11 am, Called 611 and changed pin, started google port
4. Wed 11 am, google port done, works with obi100
number 2:
1.Wed 11:15 am, activate online and request port online
2. Thurs 12:30 am, receive text from t-mobile 'transfer complete'
3. Thurs 9:30 am, left pin the same (thought since i requested online for transfer, there is no need to change/confirm a new pin) and started google port. Got pin code error and entered pin that i signed up with and now it says 'port in process.'
4. Be done tomorrow at 9:30 am
   
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: rdhoss on December 13, 2012, 10:53:19 AM
After 2 weeks of struggling to get my AT&T UVerse number ported to T-Mobile Pre-Paid, I'm now stuck trying to port to GV.

No matter what, GV returns this message:
Error Code: Your phone number's carrier has rejected your port request. Please contact your carrier to proceed with this port. (Updating user information)

I've contacted T-Mobile multiple times, and they've advised me that the number is ready to be ported.

Anybody else get this error message from GV? Any ideas?

Thanks!
Ron
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: rdhoss on December 13, 2012, 11:53:22 AM
Hey prflat,

I just want to confirm. After your first attempt to port a T-Mobile prepaid number to Google Voice, you were getting this message:

Your request to port (xxx) xxx-xxxx to Google Voice has encountered an error.
Error Code: Your phone number's carrier has rejected your port request. Please contact your carrier to proceed with this port. (Updating user information)

And, I suspect no matter what you put in the PIN and last 4 SSN fields, it would just keep coming back with that error.

I too am getting this error, and T-Mobile keeps saying everything is good to go to port out, but I just can't get it to work.

So, essentially, you ported your prepaid T-Mobile number to another, new prepaid T-Mobile SIM and then the GV port worked?

I guess this will be my next step.

Thanks,
Ron
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: billdz on January 27, 2013, 10:34:22 AM
Hi folks,

I am trying to transfer a home phone that is now on AT&T Uverse to Google Voice.  Yesterday (Saturday), I bought the T-Mobile $.99 SIM card, and activated it online, asking that my number be ported from Uverse.  Shortly thereafter, I got an email from T-Mobile that my account had been activated and my number would be ported within 24 hours.  But today (Sunday), I got a call from T-Mobile (I missed the call but they left me a voice mail) stating that AT&T would not port the number because it was bundled with my Uverse internet, so T-Mobile was cancelling my port order.  They said I needed to call AT&T (gave me a number with a 214 area code) and have my number ported from Uverse to a traditional phone line, and then after that was completed I should call back T-Mobile and make a new order for the port.  I called the 214 number and got a message to call back during regular business hours.

Anyone else had a similar experience?  Can AT&T do this? Any tips on how to handle this?  I do not want to lose my Uverse internet service.

Thanks,
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Bogi on January 27, 2013, 05:45:53 PM
Just gonna chime in with my relatively smooth experience.

AT&T just increased they're prices so I decided to move my parents over to the Obi.  I purchased an Obi110 and Obi202 and two t-mobile sim cards (planning on switching someone else over if my parents Obi work well).  I had an old AT&T cell phone lying around so I bought an unlock code and used it to do the initial port of the landline over to T-Mobile. 

Day 1 Tue Jan 22 Activated T-Mo Sim card and requested port of landline
Day 3 Thu Jan 24 Port partially completed could place calls out but incoming calls still going to landline
Day 4 Fri   Jan 25 Port fully complete, place Google Voice port request @ 9AM (initially Google didn't ask for pin, but then received email saying i needed to supply my pin).  I thought I had setup a pin during the initial activation but I didn't so the first pin I gave to Google failed.  I called 611 to talk to a customer support rep and the system asked me to setup a pin.  I then entered the new pin to Google and it went through.
Day 5 Sat Jan 26  8AM Google voice port completed.

I then spent 4 hours trying to setup the Obi202 to work with google voice.  Couldn't get it to work.  I kept getting the "backing off" error.  I then took out the Obi110 I bought and that worked right away.  I plan on trying the Obi202 with another account later this week to see if I can get it to work.  But it may be a bug in their recent firmware that just came out on the 24th.  Someone else posted that they were also having issues with their Obi202 and Google voice after the update. 
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: billdz on January 28, 2013, 08:02:33 AM
"I got a call from T-Mobile (I missed the call but they left me a voice mail) stating that AT&T would not port the number because it was bundled with my Uverse internet, so T-Mobile was cancelling my port order."

Just to finish my story, today (monday) I called AT&T and they said the problem was that I had received a discount for my bundled phone and internet (Elite) service, thus $55 for phone and internet.  She said I could port but the price for just the internet would be $43 a month.  I said I wanted to do the port anyway and she offered to lower my monthly price for one year to $44 for both phone and internet for a year (downgrading my phone service from unlimited free to 250 minutes free).  I decided to take that deal instead of porting my phone, because at this time the port would only save me $1 a month and I'd lose 911.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: MikeHObi on January 28, 2013, 06:51:30 PM
Quote from: billdz on January 28, 2013, 08:02:33 AMI decided to take that deal instead of porting my phone, because at this time the port would only save me $1 a month and I'd lose 911.

Well, if you want, you can still use an Obi 110.  Just get a GV number and you can either forward your cable line to the GV number or have them both.  Use the GV number for outgoing calls and the cable number for 911.

But check your bill.  usually taxes and fees add on more for phone service than their base price and you may not have included those in your price comparison.

And you can get E911 with your obi if you get an account with a sip provider, which is available from a few for less than $2 per month.

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: billdz on January 28, 2013, 08:01:33 PM
Yes, you may be right about the taxes. 

I already have my Obi 110 already set up with GV on SP1 and Callcentric on SP2.  I had my home phone forwarded to my GV number to take advantage of GV voice mail and email transcription.  Last step was going to be the porting, which I thought would save me $30 a month (I had been paying $55 a month total, $30 for phone plus $25 for internet).  So I'm just saving $10 a month for now, will revisit once the promo price expires (scheduled to expire in a few months but I've heard AT&T will usually extend if asked).

What I really could use is standalone high speed internet for less than $43 a month.   
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: ricklawpsu on January 31, 2013, 12:51:47 PM
I just successfully ported from Time Warner >>> T-Mobile prepaid >>> Google Voice.

Very smooth and fast once the process was actually initiated. When I first attempted to activate my t-mobile sim, I got all the way through and received this message:


"We're sorry, we're still working to process your activation. Please wait a few moments and then
try navigating to another web page. You should receive a text message to your device when your
activation is processed.
Laptop Stick and Netbook customers, please check your connection manager to make sure you
are connected to the network. If you are not connected, please click on the Connect button to reconnect.
If you still see this message please call T-Mobile Customer Care at 1-877-778-2106."


Message didn't really seem like a confirmation so I used the T-mobile chat to ask if it went through. They assured me that it did. After 3 days, I checked the 1-877-778-2106 number and there was no record whatsoever of a port request for my Time Warner Landline number.

I started the sim activation process again and got a confirmation email from T-mobile immediately and within 6 hours a T-mobile rep called me to confirm the port request. He said that Time Warner requires this call to confirm the number transfer. I think this probably sped up the transfer.

The next morning (Day 2) I got a confirmation text but the Prepaid phone could call out but not receive calls.

In the morning on Day 3: I had full use of the Prepaid phone. I called 611 and changed my PIN over the phone. I, then, initiated the Google Voice transfer. Received confirmation emails and an "OOPS" email asking for my T-mobile account PIN. I revised the request by entering the PIN and the last 4 of my actual SS. That cleared the error.

Day 4 morning: Google Voice transfer complete. Email confirmation received.


Lessons learned: (1) Make sure you get email confirmation all along the way.
                       (2) T-mobile now gives you the option to port your landline directly during activation instead of getting a temporary number first.
                       (3) Your T-mobile account # is 1+ your phone number
                       (4) You do not need to add minutes to your phone...T-mobile gives you 10 to start
Title: Re: Number porting to GV -What If you've already cancelled you land line?
Post by: chartbear on February 04, 2013, 05:08:18 PM
I've been using obi 100 for some time now mainly for long distance. Was using an Att conventional land line for local phone service with my decades old phone number.  My dsl modem bit the dust so I decided to drop the land line and go to ATT Uverse for Internet (which I think is "dry loop").  When I cancelled the land line the CSR said they would "hold" the number for a month after I asked if I could port the number to Google Voice.  Looking at the OBI instructions for porting, I consulted the link to T-mobile and it says:

"Please do NOT cancel your other wireless or landline account until the requested number has been activated on your new T-Mobile phone."

Does this mean I won't be able to port to T-mobile and thus no porting to Google Voice?

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on February 04, 2013, 05:22:18 PM
If it is cancelled, unlikely.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: lhm. on February 04, 2013, 05:25:49 PM

Yes.


Unless you reinstate your old # along with your AT&T service and then start the port to T-Mobile.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: chartbear on February 05, 2013, 09:07:46 PM
Thanks for your responses.  Guess I'll just set up my cell number with Google voice and let friends and family know.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: ingobike on February 08, 2013, 08:11:43 PM
I want to port my commercial cell number to GV
I have already ported my land line to my wife's GV account.  I first ported it to Tmobile and then successfully transferred it to GV.
My company has authorized the porting of my ATT corporate cell number.
GV currently says I can not port it.
Tmobile says I can port it.
If I port it first to a personal Tmobile cell phone, what is the likelihood that GV will allow me to port it to GV?

Thanks, Randy
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pepi on February 13, 2013, 06:32:16 PM
Paid the 20 bucks to have my landline piped over.  Worked for awhile and now it cuts out on outgoing signal.  If I use my second GV phone number it is fine.  Not really excited about porting  :-\
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on February 14, 2013, 07:00:44 AM
Quote from: Pepi on February 13, 2013, 06:32:16 PM
Paid the 20 bucks to have my landline piped over.  Worked for awhile and now it cuts out on outgoing signal.  If I use my second GV phone number it is fine.  Not really excited about porting  :-\

That has nothing to do with porting.  I suggest you start a new thread in the correct section explaining your problem, after examining the settings for each account on your OBi, AND trying both lines directly from your PC.  If the settings match, and the PC calls work perfectly, then check the phone that is plugged into the OBi or if you're using different phones swap them.

Edit - just saw you did post this elsewhere.  Copying the answer to there.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: euclidobi on February 15, 2013, 08:08:36 PM
Welp. I finally ported my number from TimeWarner -> Tmobile -> Google.

It took about a month, although it could have been done faster if I were more vigilant in pursuing the problems that came up.

One note about porting from TimeWarner to Tmobile. My port request kept getting cancelled. Customer service on both sides were absolutely 0 help. They both claimed the problem was on the other end. And neither could give me much info on why the request kept getting cancelled. After the 3rd cancelled port request and a lot of back and forth with both providers, I looked online and found something about the pin being the Time Warner customer code (previously, I had told Tmobile I had no Time Warner pin). So I tried one last time and gave Tmobile my Time Warner account number, and customer code as they appeared on my bill. About 3 days later, got a text on my Tmobile phone saying that porting was successful.

All in all, it cost me about $40 to do the port.

$1 for the Tmobile sim.
$8 to get my temporary cell phone sim unlocked
$10 to add some minutes to the phone so I could verify the number with Google voice
$20 to port number to Google voice

Plus the cost of the Obi202 and wireless adapter.

Still worth it to get as far away from Time Warner as I can.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: mdo77 on February 22, 2013, 12:47:30 PM
So my goal is to go Time Warner --> T-Mobile Prepaid --> Google Voice.

I signed up through the TMO site and got the number ported to time warner with no problem.  Now I go into google voice and ask to port the number and get the following message:

QuotePorting your mobile number to Google Voice is unavailable
Your mobile number can not be ported at this time.
- We currently don't support porting from your carrier. We apologize and are working on adding support for more carriers.

Meanwhile, I installed Google Voice on the T-Mo prepaid phone and connected it to my GV account with the initial number. What's really weird is that on GV's site it now shows the correct number but says it's a Sprint number, not a TMO...

(http://snag.gy/FJ9Tf.jpg)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on February 22, 2013, 01:16:13 PM
Quote from: mdo77 on February 22, 2013, 12:47:30 PM
So my goal is to go Time Warner --> T-Mobile Prepaid --> Google Voice.

I signed up through the TMO site and got the number ported to time warner with no problem.  Now I go into google voice and ask to port the number and get the following message:

QuotePorting your mobile number to Google Voice is unavailable
Your mobile number can not be ported at this time.
- We currently don't support porting from your carrier. We apologize and are working on adding support for more carriers.

Meanwhile, I installed Google Voice on the T-Mo prepaid phone and connected it to my GV account with the initial number. What's really weird is that on GV's site it now shows the correct number but says it's a Sprint number, not a TMO...

(http://snag.gy/FJ9Tf.jpg)

I can't follow this.  You want to go from TW to T-Mobile to GV.  You signed up on T-Mobile and got WHAT NUMBER ported to Time Warner?  Or, do you mean you ported your Time Warner number to T Mobile?

Then, you say you installed GV on your T-Mobile phone (do you mean the app?) and connected it with your GV account with the initial number?  What does that mean?  Do you mean that you setup the T-Mobile PRE-PORTING number on your GV account? 

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: mdo77 on February 22, 2013, 03:25:10 PM
OK. Sorry for the confusion. I'll clean it up.

Wednesday I started with a Time Warner number.  I ported that to a new T-Mobile prepaid account.  That port went through about 3:00 this (Friday) morning judging by the timestamp on the text message from TMO.

When I saw the port was completed this morning (around 6:30), I logged into my existing Google Voice account and went to start the second port process. When I put in the ported number (formerly TW now on TMO) it gave the carrier not supported message.

At that point, I thought I'd wait a few more hours before I tried again -- I thought maybe the systems needed to sync up or something and GV thought that the number still belonged to TW and not TMO.  I've tried a few times since then and it still gave that same error.

The TMO phone is an old android that I had so I installed google voice on it via wifi and hooked it into the GV account.  At that point on the GV screen the number of the TMO phone showed up in the GV Phones section and it shows as a Sprint phone.  Which it most definitely is not.

I was curious if anyone had a suggestion of what to do next.  Apparently GV thinks this is a Sprint number that it cannot port.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on February 23, 2013, 04:18:11 AM
Delete the phone from your GV account.  Try again.  Google needs to see that the carrier has changed and that could take a day or so. 
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: mdo77 on February 25, 2013, 12:20:03 PM
I guess I jumped the gun a little. Apparently the number was only half-ported from Time Warner at that point.  Outgoing calls were working fine from the mobile phone but incoming calls were still getting routed to the Time Warner phone.

As of this morning, the cell phone was getting the calls routed to it and I was able to finally start to port the number to Google Voice.

In all, it took about 5 days for the port from Time Warner to T-Mobile prepaid to complete.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on February 25, 2013, 12:45:54 PM
Quote from: mdo77 on February 25, 2013, 12:20:03 PM
I guess I jumped the gun a little. Apparently the number was only half-ported from Time Warner at that point.  Outgoing calls were working fine from the mobile phone but incoming calls were still getting routed to the Time Warner phone.

As of this morning, the cell phone was getting the calls routed to it and I was able to finally start to port the number to Google Voice.

In all, it took about 5 days for the port from Time Warner to T-Mobile prepaid to complete.

That's why you need to test both incoming and outgoing BEFORE you start the next phase.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: JeffW on March 05, 2013, 05:03:00 AM
Forgive me if the following question was addressed in a previous post -- simply don't have the time to go through 9 pages of posts on this issue.  I recently hooked up my OBi and would like to port my landline # using the "T-Mobile method".  When I check portability with the T-Mobile site, it gives the message that my landline # can't be ported.  (BTW, it gives a "No" on every number I tried).  My phone service is through Time Warner.

Question: If T-Mobile says it can't be ported, am I dead in the water?  Is there another method that might work?

It's not that big of a deal if I can't.  We rarely use our landline anyway (basically, just to receive telemarketing calls, ha-ha).  Which is why I got the OBi, since I'd rather pay 0$ for phone service.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on March 05, 2013, 05:44:13 AM
I'm not sure there's a clear answer to your question one can give on here.  A few pointers, though.

One point is VoIP phone numbers have different regulatory rules for porting than landline numbers.  See here on DSL Reports (http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark%2c12997657) for an old explanation. Note that was in 2005 and the FCC has since changed the rules to include VoIP numbers in "LNP", as I understand it not all of them and slightly different rules than apply to landline #s.

What I'd suggest is first, determine if GV works for numbers local to your telco switch. More exactly, local to the "telco switch" which serves your NXX prefix number (format NPA-NXX-1234). Search for bandwidth.com and google voice, and you'll get an explanation. Determine your NXX/prefix and telco switch from these two sources, 1 (http://www.localcallingguide.com/lca_prefix.php) and 2 (http://www.telcodata.us/search-area-code-exchange-detail).

If above looks doable, then see if there's an third party like T-Mobile that is the leapfrog provider you port your number to before porting into GV.

As you found out you can't go from Time Warner to T-Mobile. Can you port to anybody else? Are any of those anybody else entities that GV allows porting in from?  The somewhat opaque list of what mobile providers who can port into GV is here (http://support.google.com/voice/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1065667&topic=1708124&ctx=topic).
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveG on March 05, 2013, 10:30:10 AM
I have a Time Warner land-line.  It is portable to T-Mobile and is then portable from T-Mobile to OBI from what I've read.  My question is at some point do I have to tell Time Warner I am dropping them or does the porting of the number to T-Mobile do that?  Thanks in advance...  Steve
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: JeffW on March 05, 2013, 10:43:09 AM
@CoalMinerRetired -- I went and checked Sprint's portability checker and my landline is reported as port-able to Sprint.  I probably should have checked that after my T-mobile attempt, but I assumed that the portability wasn't reliant on the carrier one is porting it to.  Obihai's support pages direct one to T-Mobile so I went that direction off the bat.  Anybody know why T-mobile won't port it, but Sprint will?

Since I have Sprint as my cell carrier, I assume they will likely help me port my landline to my Sprint account.  Anyone have experience doing this with Sprint?

@Steve -- when I looked through Sprint's FAQ on the porting, they mentioned that the transfer will automatically deactivate the number with your old service provider, but they made it clear that you do NOT deactivate your account until the porting of the number has been completed.  If your account with your old service provider is canceled before that happens, the number will no longer be available to transfer.  I would assume, then, that once the porting has been complete, only then should you cancel your account with Time Warner.

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on March 05, 2013, 11:09:19 AM
For any number porting, you never need to and never should cancel your phone line or your phone account. By definition a port takes cares of that.

Reference: http://www.npac.com/number-portability and http://www.fcc.gov/guides/portability-keeping-your-phone-number-when-changing-service-providers

A bundled VoIP phone line on a Time Warner or a Comcast cable package or a FioS package might be a special case if it means you are opting out of a bundled deal.  Time Warner or Comcast might see it as a excuse to up your rate on the remaining TV and Internet, but if that is less then zero cost phone service you're obviously better off.  

> Anybody know why T-mobile won't port it, but Sprint will?
It's related to interconnection agreements and points of presence in the telco switch "premises" where your phone number was "born."  T-Mobile probably doesn't contract with any of the third party providers and your number cannot port to T-Mobile.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: tmogv on March 06, 2013, 10:36:49 AM

so.. got my # ported to T-mobile but it says 0.00 in the account bal.

Do I need to add $ before porting to GV ?

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: lhm. on March 06, 2013, 11:30:53 AM
Probably not, but why chance the account being cancelled and losing your ported number. Add $10 dollars as insurance. Better safe than sorry.

IMHO
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on March 06, 2013, 11:33:28 AM
Quote from: tmogv on March 06, 2013, 10:36:49 AM

so.. got my # ported to T-mobile but it says 0.00 in the account bal.

Do I need to add $ before porting to GV ?

Many SIMs come with 10 minutes on them, which is enough.  As I recall, you need to receive 1 call.  If you have zero minutes, you'll need to do the $10.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on March 06, 2013, 07:00:24 PM
Quote from: tmogv on March 06, 2013, 10:36:49 AM

so.. got my # ported to T-mobile but it says 0.00 in the account bal.

Do I need to add $ before porting to GV ?
The above two responses are correct.

New T-Mob SIM cards will have a 10 min ($3.37) balance. We all assumed you did this onto a new SIM card. But you didn't actually say that. So if you ported onto an account or SIM that cannot receive a call (one call of less than one minute) the GV port will never go through during the one-call verification step (where on the GV porting screens you are told to enter a random code into a call that GV makes to your t_mob phone (http://www.obihai.com/tutorial6.html)).

To add one more story to this thread. I ported a distant relatives long-held Verizon landline phone number to T-Mobile over the weekend. Used one of the 10-minute pre-paid SIM cards which I previously bought for $.99.

The SIM Card packaging said "Initial $3.34 value". When completing the port on T-Mobile's website, after it validated the number and at the very end (Step 5, I saved some screen shots) it showed "Fund your account."

The choices were 'Pay with refill card, pay with credit/debit card, or pay with electronic check. There was no 'continue' or 'you're done now', IMO it was somewhat sneaky and misleading in that they want you to throw a few more dollars into your account. Even though I did a few of these ports to T-Mob already, it was not quite clear if the port was accepted or not, it seemed like they did this on purpose, purposely vague to get you to add some funds. 

I chose to wait it out and see if the $3.37 value (which you'll note was never acknowledged or mentioned) was 'in there' or not. Started the port late Thu evening and it took until early Monday morning to get the two text messages "Welcome to T-Mobile" and "Congratulations, your phone number has been transferred..."

Only after I created an account was I able to view the balance, and see the $3.37. Since I didn't see the acknowledgement text message(s) by Friday evening, over the weekend and on impulse I saw a $10 T-Mobile Refill Card and bought it, thinking if the port doesn't go through I'll try again and add the $10 at the end.   

Even with all the above, T-Mobile is still the best deal out there for porting a land line number IMO. SIM cards are $0.99 (I thought I saw some for free the other day) and include 10 minutes, the ports go through in 24 to 48 hours (evidently weekends stop the clock), and porting into GV is -- has been for me -- without issue.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: tmogv on March 06, 2013, 10:11:05 PM

Thanks all.

Adding $10

( I got the FREE SIM card from T-mobile.. may be why it was empty ? )
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on March 07, 2013, 04:27:10 AM
Quote from: tmogv on March 06, 2013, 10:11:05 PM

Thanks all.

Adding $10

( I got the FREE SIM card from T-mobile.. may be why it was empty ? )

It wasn't empty, re-read the post before yours...
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: djc6 on March 15, 2013, 08:59:56 AM
I ordered the T-Mobile SIM Card Activation Kit on Feb 15th and just started the process this week - took me a while to find an unlocked phone.  I initiated the port online and within a day my number was ported.  I then registered online so I could check my balance before buying any minutes, to confirm I received 10 included minutes - but I did not.  My balance is 0 minutes.  One of the posters above mentioned the packaging says "Initial $3.34 value" - mine doesn't say that anywhere.  I wonder if these new $.99 SIM Card Activation Kits don't include any minutes?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on March 15, 2013, 09:04:28 AM
I got some free ones a while back, and they say right in the package "Initial $3.34 value".
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: djc6 on March 15, 2013, 09:10:12 AM
Mine arrived in a padded manilla envelope.  Inside was a sealed clear plastic bag containing a thick terms and conditions booklet, an activation leaflet and a credit card sized piece of plastic that you punch the SIM card out of.  Nowhere on that plastic card, the leaflet, etc.. does it mention any initial value - so I guess things have changed!  Just an FYI for other people who attempt this.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on March 15, 2013, 09:13:24 AM
Mine is still as it came.  Ziplock bag, same contents as yours.  The thick packet says on the outside "Activation Card".  Initial $3.34 value right under it.  That packet has barcodes on the bottom as follows:

6 10214 63034 6

69031907

And a sticker that says 610214630346
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: djc6 on March 15, 2013, 09:26:13 AM
Yeah, mine just says "Activation Card".

Ziplock bag barcode: 6 10214 61584 8
Ziplock bag number under barcode: 610214615848

Number on sealed bag that contained ziplock bag: 610214631374

Oh well, I'm adding $10 and pressing onward! :)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: JeffW on March 15, 2013, 10:54:47 AM
For those who can't use T-mobile for porting, here's my experience with AT&T:

My landline showed as not port-able with T-Mobile, but when I checked with AT&T, they could do it.  It was explained to me that it had something to do with control of cell towers in my area (east central WI) -- apparently, T-Mobile doesn't have any towers in my area.

I stopped by an AT&T store and explained what I wanted to do.  The agent there set me up with a prepaid SIM -- didn't charge me for it.  It had a zero balance, but was set up with my landline number.  I brought along a phone bill from my landline carrier so he could verify the account information.  He then initiated the port process from my landline carrier to AT&T. 

I then went to WalMart and bought a $15 GoPhone so I could insert this SIM.  When I inserted the SIM, I noticed that my landline phone number came up but was still inactive since the porting hadn't gone through.  Using the landline #, I was able to log in to att.com and confirm the account the agent had set up earlier.  At that time, I added some money to the prepaid account.  To check the status of the porting, I logged into att.com/port, input the phone number and it reported date and time when the port was expected to be complete.

When the port from landline to cellphone was complete, I received a message on the GoPhone and also tested calls out and in to the GoPhone.  I then logged into Google Voice and initiated the port process from AT&T to GV.  NOTE:  at first I tried entering the cellphone (my old landline) # as the account number for the porting process on GV, since I used that number to log into my account with AT&T.  But GV kept kicking back an error with an invalid account number.  I ended up calling AT&T customer service and asking for an account number.  Sure enough, there was an account number tied to the account that didn't show up online when I was logged into "myAT&T".  With that account number, the porting request with GV went through.

In retrospect, I probably could have just bought a GoPhone to begin with and initiated a port of my landline with the setup of the GoPhone, but I went the route of stopping by my local AT&T store first and the agent took it from there.

Hope this helps someone whose number is won't port through T-Mobile.

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Shawnk71 on March 18, 2013, 02:48:12 PM
I am getting ready to switch from my Comcast landline to Obi and GV.  I do not have t-mobile, instead I have AT&T as my iPhone provider.  Can anyone give me some steps to go about to port my Comcast landline number to GV?  Also, will my landline number still be able to be used by my friends because I do not want to change my home phone number?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on March 18, 2013, 03:35:10 PM
Quote from: Shawnk71 on March 18, 2013, 02:48:12 PM
I am getting ready to switch from my Comcast landline to Obi and GV.  I do not have t-mobile, instead I have AT&T as my iPhone provider.  Can anyone give me some steps to go about to port my Comcast landline number to GV?  Also, will my landline number still be able to be used by my friends because I do not want to change my home phone number?

Thanks!

Have you read the OBI instructions?  Or the many posts?

Do you understand what porting does?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: JeffW on March 18, 2013, 07:48:56 PM
@Shawnk71 -- From your post, it appears you are replacing your Comcast landline service with GV.  Once you set up your OBi with GV and port your landline number over to GV, that phone number will remain your home phone number -- only exception is you will be paying Google $0 (for domestic calls) instead of Comcast.

Important note:  Don't cancel your Comcast service until your number porting is complete.  Porting your number usually automatically cancels your current phone service.  If you cancel your Comcast service first, you'll likely lose your current number.

Before I explain further, do Step 1:  Go to T-Mobile's website and also to AT&T's website and see if either or both of them can port your number to them.  As an example, in my area T-Mobile could not port my landline phone number, but AT&T could which is why I ended up using AT&T for the porting process.  If T-Mobile will port it, there are plenty of posts in this forum with instructions.  Most OBi users have used T-Mobile.  If you strike out with T-Mobile but AT&T will port it, refer to my previous post on how I did it with AT&T.

If you need more help, just re-post and I'll try to walk you through.  It was easier than I expected.
Title: question about mobile device used for transferring home number
Post by: mozof2 on March 21, 2013, 03:10:44 PM
I did order the T-mobile SIM card. I however, do not have a T-mobile cell phone.
My question is: Am I able to use any mobile phone device that takes a sim card. (ie.. I have an old tracfone and net 10 phone?) This is what I had understood upon placement of my order for the SIM Card.
Thanks for any help!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on March 21, 2013, 04:05:53 PM
Any unlocked phone that operates on the same bands.  TMobile, AT&T, and companies that use their networks.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: mozof2 on March 21, 2013, 05:18:38 PM
I have an old Net 10 and an old tracfone.

1. Could I put the t-mobile SIM card in those these?
2. What exactly does "unlocked" mean in regards to cell phones?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on March 21, 2013, 06:37:19 PM
Quote from: mozof2 on March 21, 2013, 05:18:38 PM
I have an old Net 10 and an old tracfone.

1. Could I put the t-mobile SIM card in those these?
2. What exactly does "unlocked" mean in regards to cell phones?

suggestion google "unlocked cell phone"
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: mozof2 on March 22, 2013, 12:17:41 AM
Wow, this is all so very complicated. Not sure I would have went this route (purchasing an OBi, then transferring my home number of 25 years to google voice,) had I known there would be so much hassle involved. Thanks for this forum, though :)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on March 22, 2013, 06:28:37 AM
Quote from: mozof2 on March 22, 2013, 06:18:52 AM
I have been on the phone with tracfone all morning. Both people I have talked with tell me that they (tracfone)  will not allow you to use their phones with another provider. One representative even told me that tracfone does not "lock" their phones.
How in the world do you all make it look so easy?

In short - people do their research ahead of time.  There are literally hundreds of posts on the web on how to port a number to Google Voice (which has nothing to do with an OBi, since an OBi is just the device you can use to get your GV number to ring on your house phone).  Nearly all of them tell you to buy a cheap AT&T phone and port to it, then to GV.  Some posts tell you that you can cheap out and buy (or get free) a T-Mobile SIM and put that into an UNLOCKED COMPATIBLE phone.  Upon reading that, one would assume you need to gain an  understanding of what that means and how you go about doing it.  I don't recall ever reading that a Tracfone or a Net10 phone would work, but then again I never looked for those solutions.  A Samsung Go Phone with ATT costs $14.99 from Best Buy.  If it doesn't come with minutes, you might have to spend $10 or $15 to get a small number of minutes.  Figure $30 in total. 

You've spent the morning on the phone trying to get a free SIM card to work in a non-compatible phone.  I'd suggest you either restart the process the easy way - or find a friend that has a T-Mobile or AT&T UNLOCKED phone that would allow you to borrow it for a day or two.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on March 22, 2013, 06:48:20 AM
This is similar to a hypothetical road trip
You live in Kansas and decide you want to drive to Canada.  You just pick a random direction and starting driving south but eventually find yourself in Mexico, and say to yourself....  
"I didn't realize this was going to be such a long hard trip."
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: mozof2 on March 22, 2013, 08:33:36 AM
thanks rick. Actually I have done lots of research, unfortunately just not prior to getting myself into this :)
Upon research I found lots of sites on how to unlock other cell phones.(http://www.ehow.com/how_7260780_unlock-tracfone-phones.html)
That would be my first step, since I own so many net 10 and tracfones.
Since, this does not seem to be working out, I have looked on ebay as well as local freecycle sites to look for a used T-mobile device. I have looked at every post in this forum, so I am not just asking a random, already answered question and wasting anyones time.
Thank YOU for taking the time to address my concerns. I will just purchase another phone. However, I have read conflicting reports on if AT&T pay as you go actually works with this whole process. Regardless, I will figure it out, just didn't think it would be quite so complicated.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on March 22, 2013, 08:49:49 AM
Quote from: mozof2 on March 22, 2013, 08:33:36 AM
thanks rick. Actually I have done lots of research, unfortunately just not prior to getting myself into this :)
Upon research I found lots of sites on how to unlock other cell phones.(http://www.ehow.com/how_7260780_unlock-tracfone-phones.html)
That would be my first step, since I own so many net 10 and tracfones.
Since, this does not seem to be working out, I have looked on ebay as well as local freecycle sites to look for a used T-mobile device. I have looked at every post in this forum, so I am not just asking a random, already answered question and wasting anyones time.
Thank YOU for taking the time to address my concerns. I will just purchase another phone. However, I have read conflicting reports on if AT&T pay as you go actually works with this whole process. Regardless, I will figure it out, just didn't think it would be quite so complicated.

AT&T Go Phones will work fine, just don't use your T-Mobile SIM, use the Go Phone as is.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on March 22, 2013, 09:51:28 AM
Just to clarify, if you use the same brand Sim card (Tmobile or ATT) on the same carrier (Tmobile or ATT)
the phone does not need to be unlocked

An unlocked GSM cell phone, allows you to use any sim card in your phone, ie Tmobile Sim in your ATT phn or if you traveled for instance to France you could buy a Sim over there, put it in your unlocked phone and Voilà you now have a cell phone with a French phone #

to check if GV can port your #
https://www.google.com/voice/b/0/porting (https://www.google.com/voice/b/0/porting)

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: mozof2 on March 23, 2013, 07:28:32 AM
Quote from: dircom on March 22, 2013, 09:51:28 AM
Just to clarify, if you use the same brand Sim card (Tmobile or ATT) on the same carrier (Tmobile or ATT)
the phone does not need to be unlocked

An unlocked GSM cell phone, allows you to use any sim card in your phone, ie Tmobile Sim in your ATT phn or if you traveled for instance to France you could buy a Sim over there, put it in your unlocked phone and Voilà you now have a cell phone with a French phone #

to check if GV can port your #
https://www.google.com/voice/b/0/porting (https://www.google.com/voice/b/0/porting)


I have a T-mobile sim card, but do not want to purchase a t-mobile phone. I do not mind purchasing the at&t phone for $15. Are you saying the two services are interchangeable? (ie.. could I used the tmobile sim card in the at&t phone without unlocking it?)
I just don't want to put anymore money into this if at all possible. (ie purchasing an at&t phone AND service for it.)
Thanks for your help.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on March 23, 2013, 07:32:09 AM
Quote from: mozof2 on March 23, 2013, 07:28:32 AM
I have a T-mobile sim card, but do not want to purchase a t-mobile phone. I do not mind purchasing the at&t phone for $15. Are you saying the two services are interchangeable? (ie.. could I used the tmobile sim card in the at&t phone without unlocking it?)
I just don't want to put anymore money into this if at all possible. (ie purchasing an at&t phone AND service for it.)
Thanks for your help.

No!  The AT&T Go Phone is locked to AT&T.  You buy it, put on minutes if it doesn't come with it, and you're done. AT&T will not unlocked a brand new Go Phone with no usage.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on March 23, 2013, 07:54:04 AM
I am saying if you use Tmobile sim in a tmobile phone, the phone does not have to be unlocked
if you use an ATT sim in a ATT phone, the phone does not have to be unlocked

If you want to use a TMO sim in a ATT phone, or a ATT sim in a TMO phn, then the phn has to be unlocked
If you want to take your ATT or TMO phone to Europe and use a foreign SIM, the phn has to be unlocked
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on March 26, 2013, 05:48:21 AM
Most everyone uses T-Mobile or AT&T for porting.  However, right now you can get a Verizon Wireless Prepaid Samsung U365 phone for $9.99 that says it includes $10 in airtime (noted in one of the reviews).  For $9.99 this is hard to beat to port to GV.  http://bit.ly/ZooFdv
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on March 26, 2013, 09:23:09 AM
Quote from: Rick on March 26, 2013, 05:48:21 AM
Most everyone uses T-Mobile or AT&T for porting.  However, right now you can get a Verizon Wireless Prepaid Samsung U365 phone for $9.99 that says it includes $10 in airtime (noted in one of the reviews).  For $9.99 this is hard to beat to port to GV.  http://bit.ly/ZooFdv
That is a very good deal for porting purposes.  Not sure if or how AT&T supplies new SIM cards, though?  If you do multiple ports you'll want to factor in the cost of additional SIMs.

To date, the $0.99 SIM card from T-Mobile combined with a $19.99 phone (Nokia 1616, think CVS, Rite Aid, grocery stores, etc.) hits the sweet spot for when you port multiple lines, as in friends and family.  That AT&T phone could be the new lowest cost approach.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on March 26, 2013, 09:24:30 AM
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on March 26, 2013, 09:23:09 AM
Quote from: Rick on March 26, 2013, 05:48:21 AM
Most everyone uses T-Mobile or AT&T for porting.  However, right now you can get a Verizon Wireless Prepaid Samsung U365 phone for $9.99 that says it includes $10 in airtime (noted in one of the reviews).  For $9.99 this is hard to beat to port to GV.  http://bit.ly/ZooFdv
That is a very good deal for porting purposes.  Not sure if or how AT&T supplies new SIM cards, though?  If you do multiple ports you'll want to factor in the cost of additional SIMs.

To date, the $0.99 SIM card from T-Mobile combined with a $19.99 phone (Nokia 1616, think CVS, Rite Aid, grocery stores, etc.) hits the sweet spot for when you port multiple lines, as in friends and family.  That AT&T phone could be the new lowest cost approach.

There is no SIM for a Verizon phone unless it's a 4g phone, so it's either one and done or you'd have to then pay to buy some minutes and reactivate it if you want to port more than one line.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on March 27, 2013, 08:01:38 AM
Quote from: mozof2 on March 27, 2013, 07:57:15 AM
Quote from: Rick on March 23, 2013, 07:32:09 AM
Quote from: mozof2 on March 23, 2013, 07:28:32 AM
I have a T-mobile sim card, but do not want to purchase a t-mobile phone. I do not mind purchasing the at&t phone for $15. Are you saying the two services are interchangeable? (ie.. could I used the tmobile sim card in the at&t phone without unlocking it?)
I just don't want to put anymore money into this if at all possible. (ie purchasing an at&t phone AND service for it.)
Thanks for your help.

No!  The AT&T Go Phone is locked to AT&T.  You buy it, put on minutes if it doesn't come with it, and you're done. AT&T will not unlocked a brand new Go Phone with no usage.



Okay, I did purchase a go phone and minutes, have successfully ported my landline from AT&T residential to the wireless phone, now, when I try to port to GV, I am getting an email that says Your request to port XXX-xxx-xxxx has encountered an error. It is not accepting my account number as simply my 10 digit phone number, and since I am using a pre paid phone number, I do not have a name or ssn attached with it to fill in the blanks on the GV form. Any help would be appreciated.

Have you done ANY of the reading on how to do this before you started?  You need to call AT&T customer service to get your account number. 
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: mozof2 on March 28, 2013, 06:39:41 AM
Quote from: chaiwan2000 on June 16, 2011, 11:20:56 PM
I lived in Bay Area, CA and recently ported my land line number to GV successfully. Just want to share my log here, hopefully it can demystify this process a bit.

First, I go to http://www.t-mobile.com/switch/default.aspx to make sure my land line number is eligible to transfer.

Then I started out with a T-mobile prepaid SIM card for $6.99 which I purchased online. Plus tax, it is $7.64 shipped. I got 10 minutes talk time.

Day 1 (evening): Received the package from T-mobile. Follow the instructions and activate that SIM card. Provided a PIN # of my choice and in return I got a new phone number (408-xxx-yyyy). Put that SIM in one of my mobile phone and make sure this number actually works.

Day 2 (morning): Called T-mobile's activation dept (1-800-937-8997) and requested them to port my land line number to my prepaid SIM. I need to provide my AT&T account number to T-mobile for this.

Day 3 (morning): Received a SMS from T-mobile at 7:58am telling me that the porting is done. Called both ways and confirmed it is working.

Day 3 (lunch time): Login to my Google Voice account and request the porting at 12:22pm. Google charges $20 for this, payable via Google Checkout. Also, I need to provide my T-mobile account number and PIN to Google. A T-mobile agent told me that, for prepaid SIM, the account number is usually 1+mobile number. You may want to double check with T-mobile if you're not sure. Therefore, in my case, it is 1-408-xxx-yyyy. PIN is the one I created on Day 1. Part of the Google activation process is for Google to make a call to your mobile number, and you need to enter a 2-digit code that they provided to complete the validation process. This is where your 10-minute talk time becomes useful.

Day 4 (morning): Received an email from Google saying that their porting is done. Just tried calling both ways and it seems to work so far.

This is just my personal experience and for sure, YMMV. Good luck and have fun with Obi110.





This was an excellent step by step post. Thank you for sharing. Since the t-mobile devices were more expensive, I did not go this route, but appreciate the effort you put into making this whole process as easy as possible on others.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: mozof2 on March 28, 2013, 06:42:21 AM
Quote from: Rick on March 27, 2013, 08:01:38 AM
Quote from: mozof2 on March 27, 2013, 07:57:15 AM
Quote from: Rick on March 23, 2013, 07:32:09 AM
Quote from: mozof2 on March 23, 2013, 07:28:32 AM
I have a T-mobile sim card, but do not want to purchase a t-mobile phone. I do not mind purchasing the at&t phone for $15. Are you saying the two services are interchangeable? (ie.. could I used the tmobile sim card in the at&t phone without unlocking it?)
I just don't want to put anymore money into this if at all possible. (ie purchasing an at&t phone AND service for it.)
Thanks for your help.

No!  The AT&T Go Phone is locked to AT&T.  You buy it, put on minutes if it doesn't come with it, and you're done. AT&T will not unlocked a brand new Go Phone with no usage.



Okay, I did purchase a go phone and minutes, have successfully ported my landline from AT&T residential to the wireless phone, now, when I try to port to GV, I am getting an email that says Your request to port XXX-xxx-xxxx has encountered an error. It is not accepting my account number as simply my 10 digit phone number, and since I am using a pre paid phone number, I do not have a name or ssn attached with it to fill in the blanks on the GV form. Any help would be appreciated.

Have you done ANY of the reading on how to do this before you started?  You need to call AT&T customer service to get your account number. 

No Rick, the post by Quchaiwan2000 on June 16, 2011, 10:20:56 pm is what drew me to the forum, I read all 11 pages of the replies to that. I am new at navigating my way around a forum and am obviously not the skilled individual that you are. I asked you for advice because you were the one who referred me to the go phone. Forgive me for mistaking you for being someone who would be kind enough to just answer my very basic questions. I won't bother you further.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: tmogv on March 28, 2013, 06:23:47 PM
Quote from: mozof2 on March 27, 2013, 07:57:15 AM
Quote from: Rick on March 23, 2013, 07:32:09 AM
Quote from: mozof2 on March 23, 2013, 07:28:32 AM
I have a T-mobile sim card, but do not want to purchase a t-mobile phone. I do not mind purchasing the at&t phone for $15. Are you saying the two services are interchangeable? (ie.. could I used the tmobile sim card in the at&t phone without unlocking it?)
I just don't want to put anymore money into this if at all possible. (ie purchasing an at&t phone AND service for it.)
Thanks for your help.

No!  The AT&T Go Phone is locked to AT&T.  You buy it, put on minutes if it doesn't come with it, and you're done. AT&T will not unlocked a brand new Go Phone with no usage.



Okay, I did purchase a go phone and minutes, have successfully ported my landline from AT&T residential to the wireless phone, now, when I try to port to GV, I am getting an email that says Your request to port XXX-xxx-xxxx has encountered an error. It is not accepting my account number as simply my 10 digit phone number, and since I am using a pre paid phone number, I do not have a name or ssn attached with it to fill in the blanks on the GV form. Any help would be appreciated.


To get the account number you'll have to call and ask GoPhone
customer care @ 1-800-901-9878

Follow the prompt, enter your phn # etc. then press 6 to get to the More Options menu.
Keep pressing 0 till you get a Live Rep.

Your account # should be 12 digits. Good Luck.


Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: tmogv on March 28, 2013, 06:32:07 PM
Quote from: djc6 on March 15, 2013, 09:10:12 AM
Mine arrived in a padded manilla envelope.  Inside was a sealed clear plastic bag containing a thick terms and conditions booklet, an activation leaflet and a credit card sized piece of plastic that you punch the SIM card out of.  Nowhere on that plastic card, the leaflet, etc.. does it mention any initial value - so I guess things have changed!  Just an FYI for other people who attempt this.

Yup. Same here.

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: mozof2 on March 30, 2013, 06:51:19 AM
Quote from: tmogv on March 28, 2013, 06:23:47 PM
Quote from: mozof2 on March 27, 2013, 07:57:15 AM
Quote from: Rick on March 23, 2013, 07:32:09 AM
Quote from: mozof2 on March 23, 2013, 07:28:32 AM
I have a T-mobile sim card, but do not want to purchase a t-mobile phone. I do not mind purchasing the at&t phone for $15. Are you saying the two services are interchangeable? (ie.. could I used the tmobile sim card in the at&t phone without unlocking it?)
I just don't want to put anymore money into this if at all possible. (ie purchasing an at&t phone AND service for it.)
Thanks for your help.

No!  The AT&T Go Phone is locked to AT&T.  You buy it, put on minutes if it doesn't come with it, and you're done. AT&T will not unlocked a brand new Go Phone with no usage.



Okay, I did purchase a go phone and minutes, have successfully ported my landline from AT&T residential to the wireless phone, now, when I try to port to GV, I am getting an email that says Your request to port XXX-xxx-xxxx has encountered an error. It is not accepting my account number as simply my 10 digit phone number, and since I am using a pre paid phone number, I do not have a name or ssn attached with it to fill in the blanks on the GV form. Any help would be appreciated.


To get the account number you'll have to call and ask GoPhone
customer care @ 1-800-901-9878

Follow the prompt, enter your phn # etc. then press 6 to get to the More Options menu.
Keep pressing 0 till you get a Live Rep.

Your account # should be 12 digits. Good Luck.





Thank you so much for giving me such detailed instructions. I did figure it all out and after a week of much stress am now using my OBi with google voice, with my landline that I so desperately wanted to keep. When I am no longer receiving bills from my former land line company (AT&T) that one week will be far from my memory:)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: MediocreFred on April 12, 2013, 06:34:35 AM
Read through the entire thread as well as other threads on the forum. Here is my timeline to port my Vonage number to GV.

1. Ordered OBI202 and unlocked GSM Quad Band phone BLU Tank from Amazon.
2. Picked up an empty SIM card and activation code from local TMobile store for free (no free dollars or minutes on SIM)
3. Monday 8:30pm - Initiated TMobile online SIM activation process and put in my Vonage number to port.
4. Wednesday 12:15am - Received "Welcome to TMobile" text message on GSM phone.
5. Wednesday 6am - Saw the text message and immediately initiated port to GV. Received confirmation call on my Vonage Landline phone since the port to TMobile wasn't fully complete yet. Answered and entered the confirmation code. (So, saved the $10 min refill on TMobile SIM).
6. Wednesday 6:10am - Got the missing pin email. Filled out the form with the TMobile PIN (setup during TMobile online activation) and real last 4 of SSN.
7. Thursday 10am - Received confirmation/welcome emails from Google Voice.

Thursday evening, configured OBi202 and had incoming and outgoing calls working as desired.

Thanks to everybody that posted their experiences. Definitely invaluable information!

-MediocreFred.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Lavarock7 on April 12, 2013, 01:46:34 PM
I guess it is to late to mention this, but here is my take on the "porting a number to GoogleVoice" process.

Sometimes it works, and it is desirable because it is free, but it also *may* be a hassle to make things work the way you want and many issues in the forums involve issues with the connection to GV. I am the first one to try to get free stuff (I have 4 GV numbers [shhhh] and a few free UK inbound ones, 2 Inums, 2 Sipgate numbers, a callcentric NYC number, a RingCentral one and 2 efax accounts). I am NOT unfamiliar with free :-) Still, I opted to pay for a number to reside with a Voip provider.

With that said, to the people who have had a residential landline number for decades or don't want to lose it, rather than try porting to Google, port it to someone like Voip.Ms (who currently offers a free port) and pay the perhaps $12 to $18 a year and some charges for calling.

Yes, I love Google and its free, but it was pretty easy to just port to a provider other than Google and be done with it. (In reality, Google won't handle my area code anyway :-)

Still, the savings for most people is considerable enough that the slight charge for a paid provider might be worth it. $20-$40 a month compared to $20 a year, I'd be happy enough not to have to go buy a cellphone and try to port.

Just another view.

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: leck on April 23, 2013, 07:41:47 AM
I started the porting process from Verizon landline to TMobile on Sat night at 10:30PM. This morning at 8:15AM I got a text on my TMobile saying "Congratulations your phone number has been transferred. Your new number is xxx-xxx-xxxx."

I made three test calls:
(1) Called into Verizon number -- only cell phone rings   ;D
(2) Called out from cellphone -- new number displays  ;D
(3) Called out from Verizon landline -- line is still live, call goes out and Verizon number still shows  ???

So there is overlap at the moment as I can now use either landline or cell phone to call out from the Verizon number. Do I need to wait for the landline to go dead before I start the port from TMobile to Google Voice?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on April 23, 2013, 08:05:26 AM
No you do not need to wait.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: leck on April 23, 2013, 08:45:21 AM
Quote from: Rick on April 23, 2013, 08:05:26 AM
No you do not need to wait.
Thanks Rick. I went ahead and initiated the port from TMobile to GV.

There is now a $9 balance on the TMobile SIM which I know will disappear once the number is ported. Is there a way to transfer this to another TMobile number or donate it? I know I will still need a couple of mins for the GV confirmation call.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: carl on April 23, 2013, 09:00:19 AM
The GV confirmation call will cost you only one minute.You can call TMO customer service and ask them whether they would be willing to issue you a new number for the balance ( probably not), call will not cost you anything. You certainly cannot donate the money. TMO has been quite abused with those ports ( by people like me),getting a special on prepaid SIM card for $ 2 and just using it for port ( I am at least a TMO postpaid customer, so they make money on me  :))
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on April 23, 2013, 09:01:08 AM
Quote from: leck on April 23, 2013, 08:45:21 AM
Quote from: Rick on April 23, 2013, 08:05:26 AM
No you do not need to wait.
Thanks Rick. I went ahead and initiated the port from TMobile to GV.

There is now a $9 balance on the TMobile SIM which I know will disappear once the number is ported. Is there a way to transfer this to another TMobile number or donate it? I know I will still need a couple of mins for the GV confirmation call.

Nope.  Many of the T-Mobile cards come with a 10 min balance, so you don't need to buy any minutes.  Once you port, the account goes dead.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: leck on April 23, 2013, 09:58:57 AM
Quote from: Rick on April 23, 2013, 09:01:08 AM
Quote from: leck on April 23, 2013, 08:45:21 AM
Quote from: Rick on April 23, 2013, 08:05:26 AM
No you do not need to wait.
Thanks Rick. I went ahead and initiated the port from TMobile to GV.

There is now a $9 balance on the TMobile SIM which I know will disappear once the number is ported. Is there a way to transfer this to another TMobile number or donate it? I know I will still need a couple of mins for the GV confirmation call.

Nope.  Many of the T-Mobile cards come with a 10 min balance, so you don't need to buy any minutes.  Once you port, the account goes dead.
I bought a SIM on Amazon for $3.45. I thought it would come with 10 mins credit as they have in the past, but this one had a zero balance. So I had to buy a $10 refill in order to use it for porting.

As for donating unused balance, I do see some options for donating $10, such as American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/support/donating-fundraising/donations/text-messaging/ (http://www.redcross.org/support/donating-fundraising/donations/text-messaging/), but in my case it would need to be $5 -- not much. And I guess of that very little would go directly to the charity.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: kallsop on May 08, 2013, 11:06:55 AM
Another success story. Ported AT&T U-Verse voice number to T-Mobile prepaid to GV. I don't think it is important, but note that the number was originally with SNET before porting to Sunrocket (RIP) to Packet8 (now 8X8) to U-Verse. I have had this number for >20 years.

First, use the T-Mobile web based prepaid SIM activation, which allows entry of a porting request.  No need to call anyone, it is all done online. Note that the AT&T account number is available in the U-Verse online statement, it is NOT the phone number or anything like it. That port took about 1 day. Then logged into GV and initiated the port from T-Mobile. Use 1+ phone number for the account number, and the PIN you used online when activating the T-Mobile SIM. That port took about 1 day. I started on Monday morning, and on Wednesday morning, my number has ported from AT&T to T-Mobile to GV. Awesome.

Now to call Comcast and establish internet service, then call AT&T U-Verse and cancel the whole bundle (internet, tv, phone). With Netflix and Hulu Plus and local channels on antenna, all I need is high speed internet. Voice and TV services are overpriced and obsolescent.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: parkab0y on May 13, 2013, 06:27:02 AM
I'm starting this process. According to the tutorial for porting your number to Google Voice (http://www.obihai.com/porttutorial.html), you need to do the process with an unlocked phone. I'm curious if anyone has done it with a LOCKED T-Mobile phone?

It looks like I'm going to have to buy a phone off eBay to get this done, so knowing if I can work with a locked phone will probably save me some money.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on May 13, 2013, 07:34:44 AM
Quote from: parkab0y on May 13, 2013, 06:27:02 AM
I'm starting this process. According to the tutorial for porting your number to Google Voice (http://www.obihai.com/porttutorial.html), you need to do the process with an unlocked phone. I'm curious if anyone has done it with a LOCKED T-Mobile phone?

It does not have to be with an unlocked phone, all an unlocked phone does, it let you use a TMO sim in a ATT phn or vice versa.  If you have a locked TMO phn, use a TMO sim card
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: parkab0y on May 13, 2013, 07:40:21 AM
Thanks very much!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jjk99 on May 24, 2013, 09:43:10 AM
do you need an actual tmobile phone to do this port trick? or can you do it solely with the sim card?

Thanks
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on May 24, 2013, 09:51:26 AM
Quote from: jjk99 on May 24, 2013, 09:43:10 AM
do you need an actual tmobile phone to do this port trick? or can you do it solely with the sim card?

Thanks

As soon as you figure out how to get the Google confirmation call to be answered by a SIM card, let the rest of us know...   ;)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: chucknmonica71 on May 27, 2013, 05:50:58 PM
While I had hoped for the easy porting experience some other users have enjoyed, alas mine was not to be.  I was able to port my Comcast home phone number to my T-mobile pre-paid sim just fine, but when trying to port to GV, I get the dreaded "Ooops! This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support" message.

Here's the odd part - when I checked with GV here: https://www.google.com/voice/b/0/porting
before porting my number away from Comcast, I could have sworn that the reply said that my number was portable.  How can THAT be??  Additionally, Callcentric says that my number IS still currently portable?????? 

Frustrated!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on May 27, 2013, 07:48:50 PM
That's one small roll of the dice you take when you try this. I have to say it is worth trying in order to convert your landline to a zero cost service.

Back on page six of this thread there's a discussion of what your options are if as in your case GV does not support the area (the POTS CO) where your number was 'born.'

1) Port to some other low cost VoIP providers (CallCentric, voip.ms, Anveo, Skype, etc., etc).
2) Port back to your landline provider.  Considering the overall downward trend in landlines, I'm sure they'd not be offended that you left and then came back.
3) Port to some other landline provider.

In general the only providers that charge you for porting are GV and the VoIP providers. They are also the lowest cost providers.

Cellular providers and landline providers do not charge to port in or out, they can if they choose to do so, and there are probably some rare exceptions that do charge. These guys are also the highest cost providers.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jjk99 on May 28, 2013, 07:23:28 AM
Quote from: Rick on May 24, 2013, 09:51:26 AM
Quote from: jjk99 on May 24, 2013, 09:43:10 AM
do you need an actual tmobile phone to do this port trick? or can you do it solely with the sim card?

Thanks

As soon as you figure out how to get the Google confirmation call to be answered by a SIM card, let the rest of us know...   ;)

ha ha.   :)  I bought a tmobile "burner" phone off of craigslist for 10.00.  It made me feel like Walter White.  I was in a hurry so I took it to a tmobile store.  The only cheapest card they had was 10.00.  They also charged me a 15.00 "activation fee".  I didn't question it but nobody has mentioned that before and I am not sure why I was charged it.  The port from Verizon FIOS to Tmobile took about 14 hours or so, and then from Tmobile to google took about 20 hours.  Interestingly, the guy at Tmobile told me it would take up 7 days.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on May 28, 2013, 07:50:10 AM
That T-Mobile charge is not unheard of.  The brick and mortar T-Mob stores can and do charge prices different from the T-Mob website for SIM cards only.  I learned this after going in to a few different ones and asking about it.

I see the SIM Cards are now listed for $10.00 on T-Mo's website, that is a jump from $0.99 a few months ago.   

One interesting tip (this is last year) is they say they will give you a SIM card at no cost if you are an existing customer. If you do this I believe you will be asked for your existing phone number and they associate your existing number to the new SIM card.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: chucknmonica71 on May 28, 2013, 11:39:35 PM
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on May 27, 2013, 07:48:50 PM
That's one small roll of the dice you take when you try this. I have to say it is worth trying in order to convert your landline to a zero cost service.

Back on page six of this thread there's a discussion of what your options are if as in your case GV does not support the area (the POTS CO) where your number was 'born.'

1) Port to some other low cost VoIP providers (CallCentric, voip.ms, Anveo, Skype, etc., etc).
2) Port back to your landline provider.  Considering the overall downward trend in landlines, I'm sure they'd not be offended that you left and then came back.
3) Port to some other landline provider.

In general the only providers that charge you for porting are GV and the VoIP providers. They are also the lowest cost providers.

Cellular providers and landline providers do not charge to port in or out, they can if they choose to do so, and there are probably some rare exceptions that do charge. These guys are also the highest cost providers.

Yeah, I'm not overly concerned about it.  While I'd certainly like to port my old home phone number, if it doesn't work after awhile I'm not opposed to handing out my new GV number instead.  It's an additional PITA for multiple parties including me, but hey, I'm a cheapskate, so if it saves me a buck......lol!!!!   
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: mmorse757 on June 17, 2013, 04:28:55 PM
Question:  Why did you have to port the number to T-Mobile first as opposed to porting the number directly from AT&T?

Michael
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on June 17, 2013, 08:27:12 PM
GV will only port a # from a cell phone.  If your # is already a cell phn #, Then Pass GO, pay $20 and port
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on June 18, 2013, 04:17:15 AM
Quote from: mmorse757 on June 17, 2013, 04:28:55 PM
Question:  Why did you have to port the number to T-Mobile first as opposed to porting the number directly from AT&T?

Michael
AT&T U-Verse is an internet service that includes an internet phone number as part of a package deal and is not the same as AT&T Wireless.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jimshaw on June 18, 2013, 04:34:22 AM
Many thanks to Chaiwan2000 for his very helpful guide to porting his telephone number to Google Voice. Unfortunately, I hit a roadblock and wasn't able to do the same. I set up my Obi100 and connected to an unused Google Voice account I've had for three years. But now I have a problem: How can I port my existing landline number to Google Voice without an unlocked cellphone? I have a spare LG420 cellphone from Tracfone, but apparently it's locked (from what I've read on the internet) and unlocking it would be tricky if not impossible (for me). So, does anyone know how I can switch my present landline number without buying another cellphone?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on June 18, 2013, 05:59:39 AM
> How can I port my existing landline number to Google Voice without an unlocked cellphone?
There is no way to do it without an unlocked cell phone.  

> So, does anyone know how I can switch my present landline number without buying another cellphone?
This is a long thread, but the summary is Landline to Temporary Cell Phone number to GV. No work around for that.

Look through the thread for all the inexpensive pay-as-you-go cell phones people have used. You shouldn't be paying more than $25 for the phone (or SIM card only), because you only need if to work for 24 to 48 hours.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on June 18, 2013, 06:50:56 AM
$14.99 for the A157 at Best Buy.  http://bit.ly/14HQJ28
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on June 18, 2013, 08:02:15 AM
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on June 18, 2013, 05:59:39 AM
There is no way to do it without an unlocked cell phone.  

A more accurate way to explain: You don't need an unlocked phone IF
you have a Tmo phn and use a Tmo sim, you have an ATT phn and use an ATT sim, etc etc
the reason to have an unlocked phn is if you want to use an ATT sim in a Tmo phn and vice versa

If you have a friend with a spare flip phn for example that would loan it to you for a few days, then your only cost would be for the sim card which have ranged in price from free to $9.99 recently.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jimshaw on June 19, 2013, 02:59:15 PM
I've spent the better part of a week, since my Obi100 arrived, researching the move to free Google Voice phone service. The more I read, the more confused I become, probably because there's basic stuff I don't understand, basic information that I'm missing. Such as...
1) Unlocked cellphone. I have two LG Tracfones, only one of which is activated, but I've read/been told that these are locked and can't be unlocked easily. So, since I must have an unlocked phone to port my existing landline number to GV, I'm looking at the cheapest one I can find. The AT&T A157 ($15) has been suggested.

2) If I buy the AT&T cellphone, can I put a TMob SIM in it? Amazon offers a TMob SIM starter kit for about $7. Do I need to use a TMob SIM or would another make work?

3) I'm struggling with new Panasonic 6.0 DECT wireless phones that I'm finding as daunting as this Obi-GV stuff. We've never owned phones as "technical" as these and the Panasonic owner's manual is as murky at the Mississippi after a hard rain. (They replace/augment analog phones that date from the late 1980s. I'd actually like to continue to use a couple of those, but that's another issue.)

4) I have a GV number and for a few days the new phones would ring when I dialed it from my Tracfone. But an old analog phone plugged into a wall jack would not. Today the situation is reversed(!), probably because I pushed a wrong key on the new base unit ysdy while attempting (unsuccessfully) to link my cellphone to the base unit. But I guess that's not really a factor in the Obi-TMob-GV issue.

For now, what I would really appreciate is answers to Nos. 1 and 2.
Jim in Louisville
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on June 19, 2013, 03:08:30 PM
Jim:

Some people should not get an OBi.  It's somewhat technical to setup.  You may be one of them.

1) No question was asked.  You've been told what to buy.  Buy it.
2) It comes with a SIM.   You may, or may not, need to add minutes (it may come with $10 of minutes, you need maybe 3 minutes).
3) Wrong forum.
4) Wrong forum.

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dadab on June 25, 2013, 10:01:11 AM
Seems like number porting from ooma to t-mobile prep-paid is complete. Calls both ways goes to t-mobile. GV says I can port my # but gives this message.

Number Porting is currently unavailable. Please check back again tomorrow.


Any one had this issue before where they have to wait longer after port to t-mobile is complete?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dadab on June 25, 2013, 10:38:21 AM
Seems like there is some break down on GV number porting process. Sigh. Had I known that before I finished my transfer. I hope Google bring that service back up ASAP.  :(


http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!categories/voice/porting-a-number-to-google-voice

More worried:

http://nerdvittles.com/?p=5758
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on June 25, 2013, 01:25:33 PM
Quote from: dadab on June 25, 2013, 10:38:21 AM
Seems like there is some break down on GV number porting process. Sigh. Had I known that before I finished my transfer. I hope Google bring that service back up ASAP.  :(

CORRECTED LINK: http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/voice/porting-a-number-to-google-voice/slk4rDhoLlA (http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/voice/porting-a-number-to-google-voice/slk4rDhoLlA)

More worried:

http://nerdvittles.com/?p=5758

In the **CORRECTED** GV Product Forum thread you linked to, note the entry about halfway down: "Links to some blogger's rant about Google Voice have nothing to do with this outage".

I agree, mostly because I don't want what he says to be true. And it does seem to be a one-off rant. And he makes it sound like the end of the world is right around the corner.

The absolute worst case that I can see happening is the free use of GV for your home or main phone number goes away, and you then port your number to a competing low cost VoIP provider.  Or in the worst of worst cases, you have to go out and get a new number.  No matter how it plays out it will be no where near the cost of a POTS landline with similar levels of services.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dadab on June 25, 2013, 01:38:59 PM
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on June 25, 2013, 01:25:33 PM

In the **CORRECTED** GV Product Forum thread you linked to, note the entry about halfway down: "Links to some blogger's rant about Google Voice have nothing to do with this outage".

I agree, mostly because I don't want what he says to be true. And it does seem to be a one-off rant. And he makes it sound like the end of the world is right around the corner.

The absolute worst case that I can see happening is the free use of GV for your home or main phone number goes away, and you then port your number to a competing low cost VoIP provider.  Or in the worst of worst cases, you have to go out and get a new number.  No matter how it plays out it will be no where near the cost of a POTS landline with similar levels of services.

I saw that post. I won't take that far. I know GV will be around for long time. My only concern is that  I can't port my number at this point - stuck in limbo. I need my phone # at my home ASAP.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on June 25, 2013, 07:08:17 PM
Getting a new number is still turned on.  If I were you, I would 1) setup a new Gmail account, 2) create a GV account, and get a new number, in an area code and exchange close to where you are. 3) When porting is turned on again, port your number into the GV account, for 90 days you have use of the two numbers, after 90 days the free number you setup goes away.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dadab on June 26, 2013, 01:51:07 PM
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on June 25, 2013, 07:08:17 PM
Getting a new number is still turned on.  If I were you, I would 1) setup a new Gmail account, 2) create a GV account, and get a new number, in an area code and exchange close to where you are. 3) When porting is turned on again, port your number into the GV account, for 90 days you have use of the two numbers, after 90 days the free number you setup goes away.

That's exactly I have done so far - now the waiting game for GV porting process to come back on. Finally some one from Google has given an update that the service is down for maintenance for few hours,although it is down since last Friday.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on June 26, 2013, 08:43:23 PM
Seems to be back online now.

This is the explanation I saw posted:https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/voice/making-and-receiving-calls/hZ2A-TM0VIc (https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/voice/making-and-receiving-calls/hZ2A-TM0VIc)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dadab on June 27, 2013, 07:00:40 AM
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on June 26, 2013, 08:43:23 PM
Seems to be back online now.

This is the explanation I saw posted:https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/voice/making-and-receiving-calls/hZ2A-TM0VIc (https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/voice/making-and-receiving-calls/hZ2A-TM0VIc)


Good. I have my request in. I did not see a place to enter pin. Not sure if I did it right,did I?

Edit: Weird. First time around there was no field to enter pin. Got email to enter pin again which I did.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dadab on June 27, 2013, 07:38:35 AM
Porting initiated after 2 digit verification. Will I still get any more calls on my t-mobile cell from GV?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on June 27, 2013, 08:38:51 AM
Quote from: dadab on June 27, 2013, 07:00:40 AM
Good. I have my request in. I did not see a place to enter pin. Not sure if I did it right,did I?

Edit: Weird. First time around there was no field to enter pin. Got email to enter pin again which I did.
If you read through the posts you'll note this is the normal behavior (and common reaction) when porting from T-Mobile.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dadab on June 27, 2013, 09:41:18 AM
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on June 27, 2013, 08:38:51 AM
Quote from: dadab on June 27, 2013, 07:00:40 AM
Good. I have my request in. I did not see a place to enter pin. Not sure if I did it right,did I?

Edit: Weird. First time around there was no field to enter pin. Got email to enter pin again which I did.
If you read through the posts you'll note this is the normal behavior (and common reaction) when porting from T-Mobile.

Thanks for your time. I did not see that from OP so I assumed it was pretty straight forward. Will I still get any more calls on my t-mobile from GV?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on June 27, 2013, 06:27:47 PM
Quote from: dadab on June 27, 2013, 09:41:18 AM
Will I still get any more calls on my t-mobile from GV?
That question doesn't quite make sense.

Once the port is complete your phone number with T-Mobile is cancelled and terminated. Cancelled and terminated means the number ceases to exist in any shape, manner or form with T-Mobile, so you can't possibly make or receive and calls on your T-Mobile phone.

You could make arrangements as mentioned here (https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667?hl=en&ref_topic=1708124), to continue service with T-Mobile (after the port) with a new phone number. If you did this, and you setup the new T-Mobile phone number as a forwarding phone in your new GV account then GV calls would of course ring the T-Mobile number.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dadab on June 27, 2013, 07:57:45 PM
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on June 27, 2013, 06:27:47 PM

That question doesn't quite make sense.



Sorry,my question should have been that,do I still need to keep my t-mobile phone on for any reason after the 2 digit verification? Can I turn it off?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dadab on June 28, 2013, 07:02:21 AM
 :)

Transfer complete in just under 23 hours.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dadab on June 28, 2013, 08:15:40 AM
My original device with ooma still shows blue light(=active) and I can still make outgoing calls from it if I connect my phone to ooma hub. Should I call them to cancel? Port from ooma to t-mobile was done on 06/24. I just don't want them to attach $3.73 next month's bill. TIA.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dadab on June 29, 2013, 11:40:20 AM
Just chatted with ooma rep. He says my account still active with ooma. He has no idea my number has been already transferred out and I am using GV using new number. I have to call CS on Monday to have an idea.
Title: How to post to this forum and no dialtone on OBi110
Post by: FM9295 on July 12, 2013, 12:03:11 PM
Sorry to go off topic here but I can't find anywhere on the site to start a new thread other than to reply to an existing post.  Can someone help?

My real question is about an OBi 110.  Suddenly my "line in from TELCO" and "line out to phone" aren't communicating.  I can't get dialtone.  When I have my unit powered and ethernet plugged in, both LEDs are lit.  I can get to the web interface via ip address from a browser.

When I don't have an RJ 11 from the telco plugged in, the light is not lit.  When I plug it in, it lights up (seems as it should be).  When I don't have the RJ 11 from my handset plugged into the unit--no corresponding light for that jack.  When I plug it in, I get the light (again, seems to be as it should be).

I tried a cable tester that checks for pinouts on ethernet and RJ 11 cables and I cannot get continuity across those 2 jacks. 

Is my unit bricked?
Title: Re: How to post to this forum and no dialtone on OBi110
Post by: FM9295 on July 12, 2013, 12:20:59 PM
Quote from: FM9295 on July 12, 2013, 12:03:11 PM
Sorry to go off topic here but I can't find anywhere on the site to start a new thread other than to reply to an existing post.  Can someone help?

My real question is about an OBi 110.  Suddenly my "line in from TELCO" and "line out to phone" aren't communicating.  I can't get dialtone.  When I have my unit powered and ethernet plugged in, both LEDs are lit.  I can get to the web interface via ip address from a browser.

When I don't have an RJ 11 from the telco plugged in, the light is not lit.  When I plug it in, it lights up (seems as it should be).  When I don't have the RJ 11 from my handset plugged into the unit--no corresponding light for that jack.  When I plug it in, I get the light (again, seems to be as it should be).

I tried a cable tester that checks for pinouts on ethernet and RJ 11 cables and I cannot get continuity across those 2 jacks. 

Is my unit bricked?

SORRY--one bit of information was incorrect---my "phone out" jack remains lit even when nothing is plugged into it.    The status is saying "on hook" for both "phone" and "line" with no change if I pick up the handset.  The status of both ports is also showing 0 mA;  Line port tip/ring voltage shows 57 V if I have line plugged in and zero if it's out.  The handset I have plugged into the phone port is a known good phone (if I use an in-line connector to connect my "line" and "phone" cables, I get dialtone right away.  But as I said, there is no change in the status of the phone port when I have everything hooked up correctly and pick up the handset.  Since the phone port is staying lit regardless of whether anything is plugged into it (and since taking the phone off hook doesn't change the status of the phone port), would you say my phone port is toast (and, again, the unit is essentially bricked)?
Title: Re: How to post to this forum and no dialtone on OBi110
Post by: Shale on July 12, 2013, 12:30:24 PM
Quote from: FM9295 on July 12, 2013, 12:20:59 PM
Quote from: FM9295 on July 12, 2013, 12:03:11 PM
Sorry to go off topic here but I can't find anywhere on the site to start a new thread other than to reply to an existing post.

To start a new thread, click on "New Topic" off to the right near the top. You may have to scroll your screen right to do that.

Quote from: FM9295
SORRY--one bit of information was incorrect---
You can click Modify on one of your posts to change/modify the content of the post.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: FM9295 on July 12, 2013, 12:47:06 PM
There is honestly nothing like that on my screen.  If I scroll to the right all I have is a vertical bar of ads but no "new topic" option that I can see???  Is yours under or above the banner ad for OBi200 at the top?  I'm using Firefox 13.0.1.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on July 12, 2013, 12:56:57 PM
did you log in to obitalk?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: FM9295 on July 12, 2013, 01:00:27 PM
Yes--it says "Hello FM9295" at the top so I think I am logged in.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Kokopelli520 on July 12, 2013, 10:19:33 PM
Just wondering if anybody has tried this porting process with Verizon Mobile yet.


Long story short.... my existing "landline" is a NetTalk Duo, which will expire in mid august. I have an active pre-paid Virgin mobile phone (which I'm not planning on making part of this process) and three dead Verizon phones collecting dust in a drawer.

I would really rather not have to buy another phone just to use for a couple of days, and Verizon apparently can re-animate dead phones to use on their prepaid plans.

I'm assuming Google Voice wouldn't have a problem porting from Verizon, since they are one of the largest cell carriers, but just thought I would ask if anybody had done a successful porting from them.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CoalMinerRetired on July 13, 2013, 03:29:41 AM
Quote from: Kokopelli520 on July 12, 2013, 10:19:33 PM
Just wondering if anybody has tried this porting process with Verizon Mobile yet.

Mentioned multiple times in this thread, with this thread open to any page type Verizon in the search box near the upper right.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on July 13, 2013, 07:28:49 AM
George Bush said there is something called "The Google"
wonder what would happen if I typed
"port verizon prepaid number to google voice"
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Kokopelli520 on July 13, 2013, 01:38:25 PM
Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on July 13, 2013, 03:29:41 AM
Quote from: Kokopelli520 on July 12, 2013, 10:19:33 PM
Just wondering if anybody has tried this porting process with Verizon Mobile yet.

Mentioned multiple times in this thread, with this thread open to any page type Verizon in the search box near the upper right.

Well, I looked at all 14 pages of this thread, and I saw one post with questions similar to mine, and another where somebody mentioned they should buy a cheap Verizon prepaid phone for the process, but I didn't see a follow-up to either one with results, so I thought I would ask.

Quote from: dircom on July 13, 2013, 07:28:49 AM
George Bush said there is something called "The Google"
wonder what would happen if I typed
"port verizon prepaid number to google voice"

I'm very familiar with Google (and even some better search engines which don't track their users), but thanks for the suggestion. Though I'm not likely to do anything because George Bush recommended it.  ;D
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Kokopelli520 on July 19, 2013, 05:49:52 PM
OK, just to follow up on my own experience here.......


Bad news is, if you want to keep your landline number, I would advise you not to use Verizon prepaid phones to do it.

While reanimating one of my zombie Verizon phones was easy, they would not allow me to port my number in order to do so, because they claimed I wasn't the "account owner". Even though I personally set up the account and did not give anybody else permission to do anything with it. So who else would be the owner?

This of course reminded me why I dumped Verizon in the first place, because their customer service probably ranks second only to Comcast in terms of pure suckage.

Good news is, since Google Voice didn't have any phone numbers available in my area, at least Verizon was able to provide that much. And the port from Verizon to Google was easy enough, and took just over 24 hrs.

So, total time for the whole process = roughly 48 hours.

Total cost = $15 to Verizon (minimum they would allow for prepaid minutes) + $20 to Google. = $35

Kinda wish I could have kept my old number, which ironically came from Google Voice (then known as Grand Central) in the first place. But what the hell..... 7 years is a good ride for phone numbers these days. Too many telemarketing calls recently anyway.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: rrock on July 20, 2013, 04:08:22 PM
I had a different experience porting to GV.  I followed all the steps and got a message from GV that they will not port from Tmobile prepaid.  I called a number furnished to port but got an error.  I later tried a different approach and got a message from GV that they would not port that number.  I was ready to give up but tried again yesterday and got it to port and 12 hours later I had a functioning GV.  I am not sure what is going on but hope I do not have to go through that again. 

Remember you will need the PIN you gave Tmobile for your sim card, not your PW for your user account.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: rainking430 on August 07, 2013, 05:52:28 AM
Quote from: kallsop on May 08, 2013, 11:06:55 AM
Another success story. Ported AT&T U-Verse voice number to T-Mobile prepaid to GV. I don't think it is important, but note that the number was originally with SNET before porting to Sunrocket (RIP) to Packet8 (now 8X8) to U-Verse. I have had this number for >20 years.

Quote from: CoalMinerRetired on June 18, 2013, 04:17:15 AM
AT&T U-Verse is an internet service that includes an internet phone number as part of a package deal and is not the same as AT&T Wireless.

From my experience I would recommend anyone wanting to port from AT&T U-verse Voice to use AT&T Go Phone and not take their chances with a T-Mobile SIM. I just ported to GV from U-Verse Voice myself and trying to port to Tmo did not work for me. The number originated as an AT&T landline number 20+ years ago. Tmo at first said that the number could be ported but the request was denied by AT&T saying that it is a VoIP number and cannot be ported. Apparently when we got U-Verse internet they converted the number to VoIP, as CoalMinerRetired mentions. We then tried the AT&T Go Phone route and that port went without issue. It is just more expensive ($15 for equipment from Walmart + $10 minimum to add minutes) and extra steps which are annoying (have to activate the phone first, then you have to call them to port your number). Also, as has been mentioned, you will need to get the account number to give to Google Voice, which is not the phone number.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: rainking430 on August 12, 2013, 12:30:56 PM
Update to my previous post. One plus when going the Go Phone route is that if you buy it at Walmart they give you 15 days to return it as long as you have the receipt. Worked for me no problem; I was able to return the package no questions asked. So at least you can recoup that $15 but you still lose the $10 you have to spend to add minutes to it, which is roughly what you would spend going the Tmo prepaid SIM route anyway.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick on August 12, 2013, 12:33:43 PM
Quote from: rainking430 on August 12, 2013, 12:30:56 PM
Update to my previous post. One plus when going the Go Phone route is that if you buy it at Walmart they give you 15 days to return it as long as you have the receipt. Worked for me no problem; I was able to return the package no questions asked. So at least you can recoup that $15 but you still lose the $10 you have to spend to add minutes to it, which is roughly what you would spend going the Tmo prepaid SIM route anyway.

So you bought it, used it to port, then returned it?  That's pretty inappropriate.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on August 12, 2013, 02:36:29 PM
For those who need an inexpensive phone
Best Buy has AT&T Samsung A157 Prepaid GoPhone™ for $4.99 with free shipping or free store pickup

Craigslist, freecycle.org, family or friends are other places one might look to find a temporary cellphone to use.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: naizarak on August 20, 2013, 09:46:00 PM
Hi guys I'm about to purchase a 100 and have a quick question:

My current landline is basic ATT home-phone service, and I also have a prepaid ATT gophone.  Would be I be ok to port my landline number to the gophone, and then transfer that to GV?  Afterwards, would I be able to restore my original gophone number? 
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on August 22, 2013, 08:37:32 AM
get a new sim card for your go phone to use temporarily to port.
once the port happens, install your original sim
that way you will not use your original phn #
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: naizarak on August 23, 2013, 10:40:00 AM
Quote from: dircom on August 22, 2013, 08:37:32 AM
get a new sim card for your go phone to use temporarily to port.
once the port happens, install your original sim
that way you will not use your original phn #

yeah i figured they'd have no way of restoring my old number, so i just followed the tut. and bought a new tmobile card(which ended up being the cheapest option anyways)

also worth mentioning that GV will need your tmobile PIN to complete the port. to set the pin, call 611 from your tmobile phone, select "manage my account", and you'll be able to setup a pin
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SWP1 on December 04, 2013, 12:11:59 PM
I have an ATT landline that I am trying to rescue. It is a Uverse number. Called the ATT porting department and they tell me that Tmobile can request it and it is available. Tmobile says it is not portable. ATT says it nmay be outside their area... What area are they referring to?

Little bit frustrated, bit not giving up!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: sdb- on December 04, 2013, 10:05:54 PM
It takes two to tango.  The 'losing' carrier must give up the number, and the 'winning' carrier must take it.  If either one is incapable, it cannot happen.  If they are merely reluctant or incompetent, remedies exist, it just takes longer.

It sounds like in your case, T-Mobile is the 'winning' carrier, and they cannot take that number.

When porting a number, the 'winning' carrier must be able to receive/service that number in the rate center to which it belongs.

In other words, if you are trying to port a Kalamazoo number, the 'winning' carrier must be able to handle the Kalamazoo prefix you are trying to port.

Try a different carrier.  Maybe a TracPhone or AT&T GoPhone (is that still the current brand for AT&T prepaid?) or Virgin Mobile.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SedonaSky on October 22, 2014, 04:19:10 PM
I finished my porting from CableOne to T-mobile three days ago but Google Voice says the number is not yet available for porting with this message:

"Your mobile number can not be ported at this time.
This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support for porting."


Has anyone recently ported from T-mobile also had to wait many days? For reference, I am on the T-mobile 'pay as you go plan'.

Thank you
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on October 22, 2014, 04:59:46 PM
You can not port just any mobile number.  It has to be from an area that GV supports porting from.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Taoman on October 22, 2014, 05:09:12 PM
Quote from: SedonaSky on October 22, 2014, 04:19:10 PM

Has anyone recently ported from T-mobile also had to wait many days? For reference, I am on the T-mobile 'pay as you go plan'.


I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you can't port your number to Google Voice since you're in an area (rate center) that Google doesn't support. I would have thought you would have checked if your number could be ported to GV first before porting to T-mobile.

You can try Ring.To but since they use the same underlying CLEC it is unlikely that you'll be able to port to there either.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on October 22, 2014, 05:20:09 PM
if you enter your area code and prefix, you can check to see if Bandwidth.com has a presence in the central office

https://www.telcodata.us/search-area-code-exchange-detail?npa=972&exchange=241

or
http://www.localcallingguide.com/lca_prefix.php?npa=123&nxx=456

although I just ported a number last month to Ring.to , from 918-743-xxxx, and nothing shows up but Southwestern Bell
so perhaps I don't understand what I have read in the forums on how to check

but if you put in 716-489 for example, you DO SEE that Bandwidth.com is listed
but if you put in 716-357 (a town about 20 miles away) you don't see Bandwidth.com listed
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SedonaSky on October 23, 2014, 09:54:38 AM
What I do not understand is that I was able to transfer this number from Qwest to Cableone 4 years ago, and last week from Cableone to T-Mobile. It seems that the number is still owned by Qwest.

The phone number is 928-649-xxxx if that helps anyone analyze my predicament.

Can anyone recommend another third party solution to fix my problem of getting my number on Obitalk (or at least Google Voice)?

If I can perhaps port 928-649-xxxx to a service that just forwards numbers inexpensively, that would be all I need at the moment..

Any suggestions?

Thank you
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on October 23, 2014, 02:30:11 PM
It's already been explained to you, both here and on the GV forum, why you can't port your number to GV.

https://productforums.google.com/d/topic/voice/kcVvtuet2K8/discussion

Port it to some other carrier that can accept it.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dadab on November 17, 2014, 04:01:00 PM
Is the process of transferring t-mobile postpaid # is as simple as submitting my t-mobile account #? I just did that and it did not ask me for a pin? Is that normal?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on November 18, 2014, 01:18:04 AM
Quote from: dadab on November 17, 2014, 04:01:00 PM
Is the process of transferring t-mobile postpaid # is as simple as submitting my t-mobile account #? I just did that and it did not ask me for a pin? Is that normal?

Hi:  in some cases, the initial porting request form isn't asking for the PIN.  After you submit the form, it will then generate an error, about a missing PIN or SSN.  At that point, you can enter the required PIN and SSN, and re-submit the form.

Please see the complete instructions and FAQ answers here:

https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667

Note that, although the instructions mention a 24-hour elapsed time period, outbound calling will typically move over around that time, and it may take another day or two for inbound calling and text messaging to move over.  If you have problems, please post your issue over on the GV help forum.  Good luck!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: zorlac on November 28, 2014, 09:58:18 PM
I ported a Verizon pots land line to RingTo and that went smoothly, I wonder if there's a chance I could port that same # from RT to GV?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on November 28, 2014, 10:02:25 PM
Nope.  Google Voice's porting system only accepts ports-in from mobile numbers.  VoIP numbers are classified as land lines.  You'd need to first port it to a prepaid mobile phone service, wait at least a few days to a week after doing so, and then port it to GV.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Kendsie on February 07, 2015, 01:01:29 PM
So, if i already have a TMOBILE prepaid plan, and i port over to it, will i lose that current tmobile phone number? How can I use the same TMOBILE phone and port my number. I dont understand, can I buy another sim card, get another number, port from century link to that number, port from that number to google voice, and what happens to my original TMOBILE number. How do I keep that number too, with the same phone?
thanks all
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on February 07, 2015, 05:24:15 PM
Quote from: Kendsie on February 07, 2015, 01:01:29 PM
So, if i already have a TMOBILE prepaid plan, and i port over to it, will i lose that current tmobile phone number? How can I use the same TMOBILE phone and port my number. I dont understand, can I buy another sim card, get another number, port from century link to that number, port from that number to google voice, and what happens to my original TMOBILE number. How do I keep that number too, with the same phone?
thanks all

Your question is unclear.  Do you now have a land line phone that you want to turn into a Google Voice number?  If so, then you would first port it to a prepaid mobile carrier like T-Mobile or AT&T GoPhone.  When you do this, you are starting NEW service with the prepaid mobile carrier, on a NEW SIM card.  After this is finished, and the land line has been fully ported over to the mobile phone service ("fully ported" means, both inbound and outbound calling works), THEN you would perform a second port, this time, from that temporary prepaid mobile phone service over to Google Voice.  This has nothing to do with any existing mobile phone service you have, and it won't change that service.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: rickyboy on February 18, 2015, 06:03:24 PM
Hey Guys!

Sorry to hijack this thread but I recently ported my Verizon Landline to a T-Mobile Prepaid so I can port it to GV.

The request started last Sunday (Feb 15) and the next day I got a text message saying:

"Welcome to T-Mobile! Dial #BAL# to check your balances.  Your T-Mobile number is xxx-xxx-xxxx"  which is my ported number.

Now, I can call out, receive calls, text, receive text with my ported number.  Looks like the port successfully worked.

However, all guides (including this one) says that WAIT for a text confirmation that the PORT has been completed BEFORE porting it to GV.

Can anyone share what the body of this confirmation Text message look like?  Also, how long did you wait before you received this message?

I'm currently waiting for 76 hours since I called last Sunday.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on February 18, 2015, 06:39:14 PM
Hi:

I don't know what you read, that says to "wait for text confirmation".  That's not accurate.  The issue is that you simply need to wait for your port from your landline carrier to your mobile carrier to be fully complete.  That means, you can both make outbound calls, and you can receive inbound calls.

I usually recommend that people give it another day or two after that, so that, when Google queries the NPAC porting database, your number's new carrier is now listed.

Given how long you have waited, go ahead and submit the port request.  If it comes back with the "porting from your carrier isn't supported" message,  just try again another day.  If it comes back with the "porting from your area isn't supported" message, then you won't be able to port in that number at all.

Follow the instructions, here:  https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: rickyboy on February 18, 2015, 07:14:03 PM


Quote from: SteveInWA on February 18, 2015, 06:39:14 PM
Hi:

I don't know what you read, that says to "wait for text confirmation".  That's not accurate.  The issue is that you simply need to wait for your port from your landline carrier to your mobile carrier to be fully complete.  That means, you can both make outbound calls, and you can receive inbound calls.

I usually recommend that people give it another day or two after that, so that, when Google queries the NPAC porting database, your number's new carrier is now listed.

Given how long you have waited, go ahead and submit the port request.  If it comes back with the "porting from your carrier isn't supported" message,  just try again another day.  If it comes back with the "porting from your area isn't supported" message, then you won't be able to port in that number at all.

Follow the instructions, here:  https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667


Thank you!  Looked like that worked.  Initially it gave me an error that my PIN is wrong and after putting the last 4 digits of my Social + PIN - the error went away and it is now in process.

Thanks Again!  Hopefully everything goes through.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jpw94 on February 24, 2015, 06:57:51 AM
Porting process to t-mobile from my VOIP provider took less than a day.
The kit I bought on Amazon was ok as well. However, there was no complimentary minutes (which I was expecting) and you need to buy $10 worth of service to use the phone so that you can port it over to GV.I only paid $4.99 for the card but I had to add that $10 to the total. Wondering if there's a specific card that can be bought with that 5 minutes added on activation? I need to port another number and I don't want to have to pay another $10.

Thanks for any suggestions.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jra85 on March 10, 2015, 05:52:05 PM
Quote from: jpw94 on February 24, 2015, 06:57:51 AM
The kit I bought on Amazon was ok as well.
Can you please tell me what to search for to find this "porting kit" (or PM me the direct link)? Curious if it's cheaper than just walking into a T-Mobile store and asking to port my existing number to a prepaid SIM. Thanks!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on March 10, 2015, 05:57:31 PM
There is no "porting kit".  Just buy a prepaid SIM from T-Mobile or AT&T GoPhone, with the minimum amount of prepaid calling time you can find.  Either get it online from the carrier, or from a seller on Amazon or eBay, whatever.  By the way, don't use H2O Wireless - the least competent carrier at porting.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jpw94 on March 10, 2015, 06:00:49 PM
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LPPHHFK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jra85 on March 12, 2015, 07:10:07 AM
Quote from: jpw94 on March 10, 2015, 06:00:49 PM
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LPPHHFK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks! Will see what the pricing is in-store to compare but good to have this option.

Also, has anybody on here ever transferred their number OUT of Google Voice to another carrier, and was it a smooth process? The number I plan to transfer to GV has been "owned" by my parents for 22 years, so I'm rolling the dice a bit taking it to GV to begin with, but want to make sure if I need/want to switch to a more premium carrier, I can do so without a headache.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on March 12, 2015, 01:02:53 PM
Quote from: jra85 on March 12, 2015, 07:10:07 AM
Quote from: jpw94 on March 10, 2015, 06:00:49 PM
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LPPHHFK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks! Will see what the pricing is in-store to compare but good to have this option.

Also, has anybody on here ever transferred their number OUT of Google Voice to another carrier, and was it a smooth process? The number I plan to transfer to GV has been "owned" by my parents for 22 years, so I'm rolling the dice a bit taking it to GV to begin with, but want to make sure if I need/want to switch to a more premium carrier, I can do so without a headache.

Thousands of people port numbers into, or out of, Google Voice every month.  The number porting process is largely automated, and unforgiving of data entry errors by the user (wrong format or characters in the user ID or PIN or password are, by far, the leading problems).  When these errors are identified, the automation kicks out the port for review by humans, which tends to add another few days of delay.  There is little risk of losing a number, with one caveat:  users should never cancel or abandon service on a number being ported.  This causes the number to be returned to the owning carrier, and the user loses the right to port the number.  The porting process itself will cancel service with the losing carrier at the appropriate time.

All number ports between US carriers are administered by the Number Porting Administration Center, or NPAC (http://www.npac.com).  Google, like other carriers, follows FCC regulations and works with NPAC as the neutral party to handle number porting.  The only step that a Google Voice user needs to take when porting a number out of GV is to "unlock" the number for porting; this step is intended to help prevent numbers from being fraudulently stolen from a user.  Unlocking a previously-ported-in number is free.  After that step, all subsequent porting activity is the responsibility of the gaining (new) carrier and the user to complete.

I hope this helps clarify the process.  If you run into any issues, please feel free to post over on the Google Voice help forum, and we'll be happy to help you.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jra85 on March 12, 2015, 02:44:25 PM
Perfect, thank you for the explanation Steve, that helps assuage my concerns about bringing their number over to GV.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: sacklunch on November 18, 2015, 07:48:29 AM
Thanks to all for the very helpful information! I think I've wrapped my head around most of this porting process, but I have a question.  I'm trying to port my home number to GV, of course.  I have an existing T-Mobile cell phone, unrelated to any of this.  Can I use my existing cell phone as my temporary phone for porting to GV?  In other words, can I buy a new T-Mobile sim card with minutes, take my current sim out of my cell phone and put the new one in, do the whole porting process, then put my original sim back in my cell phone?  I'm not sure if sims and cell phones work like that, but I DON'T want to port or lose my existing cell number. Can you swap activated sims back and forth in a phone, and have it work on either number (depending on which sim is in)?

Cheers!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: drgeoff on November 18, 2015, 07:56:14 AM
Yes you can swap SIMs as you propose.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: sacklunch on November 18, 2015, 09:23:24 AM
Quote from: drgeoff on November 18, 2015, 07:56:14 AM
Yes you can swap SIMs as you propose.

That's awesome, thanks.  I'm surprised this hasn't been suggested as an alternative to buying a throwaway phone.  (Or, if it has been suggested, I missed it, and that wouldn't surprise me at all.  :D)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: drgeoff on November 18, 2015, 09:43:17 AM
Quote from: sacklunch on November 18, 2015, 09:23:24 AM
Quote from: drgeoff on November 18, 2015, 07:56:14 AM
Yes you can swap SIMs as you propose.

That's awesome, thanks.  I'm surprised this hasn't been suggested as an alternative to buying a throwaway phone.  (Or, if it has been suggested, I missed it, and that wouldn't surprise me at all.  :D)
I forgot the important caveat that sometimes the phone is "locked" to a particular carrier and will not work with another carrier's SIM.  
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: transam98 on December 16, 2015, 06:32:24 PM
So I transfered my VONAGE to T-mobile prepaid, did that PORT worked FINE, I logged into GV (NEW Account) and put in my newly ported tmobile # went through all doid the $20 payment, got a email saying it has STARTED to port then got a 2nd email...

Oops! Issue with your Google Voice Number Porting Request....Your request to port xxx-xxx-5207 has encountered an error.

Please login to Google Voice to update your information and resubmit your request.

Please note that if your number is owned by your employer or is part of a corporate plan, Google Voice may not be able to complete the port. If you have attempted to port a corporate or employer-owned number, you can request a refund of the porting fee. However, please first login to Google Voice to check the status of your number port.
- The Google Voice team

Anyone have any suggestions ? :) thanks in advance
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on December 16, 2015, 06:34:47 PM
Quote from: transam98 on December 16, 2015, 06:32:24 PM
So I transfered my VONAGE to T-mobile prepaid, did that PORT worked FINE, I logged into GV (NEW Account) and put in my newly ported tmobile # went through all doid the $20 payment, got a email saying it has STARTED to port then got a 2nd email...

Oops! Issue with your Google Voice Number Porting Request....Your request to port xxx-xxx-5207 has encountered an error.

Please login to Google Voice to update your information and resubmit your request.

Please note that if your number is owned by your employer or is part of a corporate plan, Google Voice may not be able to complete the port. If you have attempted to port a corporate or employer-owned number, you can request a refund of the porting fee. However, please first login to Google Voice to check the status of your number port.
- The Google Voice team

Anyone have any suggestions ? :) thanks in advance


Well, follow the instructions...  log into your Google Voice account, click on the porting status link, and correct whatever error it is reporting.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: transam98 on December 16, 2015, 06:39:44 PM
There is NO porting status link, when I log into that GV account it only has the LINK... "Get a google voice #"
If I try my # again it gives me (the pic below)

when i log into my bank account it HAS charged me the $20.00
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on December 16, 2015, 06:42:11 PM
Look at this page:  https://www.google.com/voice#phones (https://www.google.com/voice#phones)

You should see a message that a port is in progress.  If you don't, then you are logged into the wrong Google account (a different account than the one you were logged into, when you initiated the port).
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: transam98 on December 16, 2015, 06:52:46 PM
nopers ;( I signed outta all my google voice accounts cept the one that I did the port initiation on/from ;( im logged into just ONE (the one i tried to initiate the port on)(BTW Steve u had replied to me on getting the tmobile sim card like a week ago for the 99cents :) I got it and they didnt even charge me the $1.07(w/ tax lol) but as I said I did the START of the port then got a email saying port initiated, they charged me the $20.00 and then this email:

Your request to port xxxxxxxxxxxx has encountered an error.

Please login to Google Voice to update your information and resubmit your request.

Please note that if your number is owned by your employer or is part of a corporate plan, Google Voice may not be able to complete the port. If you have attempted to port a corporate or employer-owned number, you can request a refund of the porting fee. However, please first login to Google Voice to check the status of your number port.
- The Google Voice team

this is what my gvoice looks like on the main screen now: (pic below)
... OMG as I was CROPPING the pic i noticed in TINY Letters... porting in progress... i did the STATUS link and.... DUH I forgot my tmobile pin, it asked for last 4 of SSN, that isnt going to match anything tmobile doesnt have that unless they got it from vonage ;(
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on December 16, 2015, 06:59:05 PM
Heh heh.  You're forgiven.

Actually, you didn't forget to enter your T-Mobile PIN...  the GV porting form for T-Mobile has a bug.  It initially doesn't ask for the PIN, then it errors out and after doing so, the field for entering the PIN will appear.  Just enter the PIN now, and enter anything you wish for the SSN... it's ignored.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: transam98 on December 16, 2015, 07:06:48 PM
Ughhhhhh, and stooooopid me haha lol, After I did the GV Bug page that DIDNT ask me the PIN (I didnt notice) then I hit submit and in the BACK of my mind I was like I DIDNT enter my tmob pin... then again sice thier BUG I didnt see it ask me the pin ;( hmmm

So I did the link you were nice enough to give me for the tmob prepaid... the DID the credit card pre-auth of $1.07 (99c plus tax) and it posted as a HOLD and then days later it FELL off... then at 12:03AM it was on my cell (In and out calls)... so now im moving it to tmobile (a tmob stupid bug that allows us to port a home line to them then right over to GV) ahha :)...

So thanks again Steve :)p.s... im in san diego :) WAY south of ya :) eheh...

Now once its ported i gotta figure out some obi stuff like having my caller ID Autoblocked...for all calls :)...


I kept my Vonage # as the PRE # is like this: 323-999-xxxx

I couldnt give up a LA Area code and the cool 999 Prefix :)

on another offtopic note I added onto LISTYOURSELF a CNAME on a GVoice # it says complete wo ill have to see if that works :) eheh

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on December 16, 2015, 07:13:48 PM
Quote

Now once its ported i gotta figure out some obi stuff like having my caller ID Autoblocked...for all calls


Google Voice does not support blocking caller ID on outbound calls.  Most people won't answer anonymous calls anymore, since they're sick of spammers and telemarketers.

If you really want/need to make an anonymous call, you can create another Google account, without its own GV number, and provision it on a different SP slot on your OBi.  Calls from that account will not send any caller ID.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: transam98 on December 16, 2015, 07:19:10 PM
I gotchya, understood, I thought it MIGHT be able to be done as I saw all them *options to set stuff in the obi :)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: transam98 on December 16, 2015, 08:44:18 PM
Steve.... I dont wanna start a whole new subject (will if I have to lol).....

If ya can help id appreciate it :)
Ive signed into obitalk to add a 2nd obi202....all fine there :)

has the same FW as my OBI 202-#1
Ive enabled WEB from the LAN port...(or wan port lol whatever it is,,,)
Ive given the Obi (2nd obi) a STATIC IP of x.x.x.96
did my reboot etc... checked that it is on the same FW as my 1st one etc...

When I do a network scan (see pic), I cant find where to make my 2nd OBI have a name that COMES from the DEVICE....

You can see on my ipscanner 192.168.1.95 Obi202 (OBI 202 VOIP#1)
the IN PARENTHESIS part comes from what I NAME it in my IP Scanner (named by its MAC) the 1st part you will see for 192.168.1.96 is BLANK, that has to come from the OBI Unit its network name... got any idea where I can try to SET that ? it isnt in my router it comes from a inquiry to the device :) thanks again in advance :)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: transam98 on December 17, 2015, 07:27:50 PM
no reply to my message above ;( but it is off topic, Ill post a new thread on that in hopes of help :) ehhe

But a update...

So as SteveWa said Bug in GV had to reloginto GV and do my TMOB Pin, did that,a nd almost EXACTLY 24 hours later got a mms on my tmob prepaid.... that THIS SIM ISNT Provisioned... and then a email from GV saying PORTING is DONE ! and put into my Obi202... works for both in and out calls ! Thanks to all that have helped :)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SusanForum on December 23, 2015, 11:45:22 AM
I understand the whole porting process - does not seem that difficult. QUESTION:  After the porting process is complete - the cell phone / SIM card phone is no longer valid (since the number has been ported to Google Voice).   Does the Google Voice account continue to work with an invalid "forwarding" phone number (since there is no cell phone to receive this phone number)?

Also, for example, when you try to record a Voicemail greeting on Google Voice, it calls that phone number - what happens now that there is no cell phone?  Will it just ring the ObiTalk device?

I'm a bit confused.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on December 23, 2015, 04:09:45 PM
Hi Susan:

When you port a phone number from one carrier to another carrier, the new carrier tells the organization that controls phone number call routing, NPAC, to point inbound calls for that number to the new carrier's phone switch.  The number is completely removed from the old carrier, and so that service is shut off.  The SIM becomes permanently disabled and can be thrown away (however, the phone handset can be re-used with a new SIM).

After this is completed, you have a Google Voice account with an inbound telephone number.  There is no forwarding phone number at this point.  Now, you can add and verify some other phone number (i.e. a different cell phone number) as your forwarding phone.  Google Voice treats "Chat" as a forwarding destination, and OBi devices are simply acting as Chat clients.

There are two ways to record a greeting:  you can add a forwarding phone number, and have GV call that number, or you can call your own GV number from the OBi-attached phone.  When the Google Voice voicemail system answers, you can get into its administrative menus, and select 4, then 1, to record your greeting.

If you add a forwarding phone number, it will enable you to use GV to its full potential, forwarding calls to that phone, checking and listening to voicemail from elsewhere, etc.  Be sure to set an 8-digit voicemail PIN on your GV account, to protect your mailbox.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Dixon on December 24, 2015, 04:57:01 PM
I ported my number from ring.to to Tmobile. Then to GV.

GV to GV calls and texts work.

Landline callers hear: We're sorry, the number you dialed can not be completed. Please check the number and try again
Some cell callers hear: the number or caller that you dialed is incorrect. Message 7, Switch 284
Localphone calllers can get through just fine.
It's a mess. It's not caused by my setup.


Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on December 24, 2015, 05:00:47 PM
Quote from: Dixon on December 24, 2015, 04:57:01 PM
I ported my number from ring.to to Tmobile. Then to GV.

GV to GV calls and texts work.

Landline callers hear: We're sorry, the number you dialed can not be completed. Please check the number and try again
Some cell callers hear: the number or caller that you dialed is incorrect. Message 7, Switch 284
Localphone calllers can get through just fine.
It's a mess. It's not caused by my setup.


These symptoms indicate that your number port hasn't fully completed yet.  Give it another couple of days, and then, if it still doesn't receive inbound calls from non-GV numbers, create a new post over on the Google Voice help forum.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Dixon on December 24, 2015, 05:06:51 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on December 24, 2015, 05:00:47 PM
Quote from: Dixon on December 24, 2015, 04:57:01 PM
I ported my number from ring.to to Tmobile. Then to GV.

GV to GV calls and texts work.

Landline callers hear: We're sorry, the number you dialed can not be completed. Please check the number and try again
Some cell callers hear: the number or caller that you dialed is incorrect. Message 7, Switch 284
Localphone calllers can get through just fine.
It's a mess. It's not caused by my setup.


These symptoms indicate that your number port hasn't fully completed yet.  Give it another couple of days, and then, if it still doesn't receive inbound calls from non-GV numbers, create a new post over on the Google Voice help forum.

I made a post there already.
Port completed on Dec 18th.
I gave up on that ported number and changed to my other GV number. Never had any downtime on other ports.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on December 24, 2015, 05:33:11 PM
It's mostly Bandwidth's fault.  They operate ring.to, and they're the primary CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier) for Google Voice.  You added an additional mess to the process by porting into T-Mobile, and then porting to Google Voice.   Somewhere along that process, Bandwidth didn't properly re-route your number's inbound calling to their switch.

ring.to and Google Voice numbers are treated as land lines for number porting purposes.  Land line ports go through a different, and more complex process than a simple mobile carrier-->mobile carrier port.  Mobile ports can be completed in minutes.  Land line ports can take many days.  The porting process into GV is mostly automated.  If an error occurs, you would have seen the error notification on your Google Voice settings page, and could have clicked on it to attempt to correct the error.

I looked on the GV forum and didn't find any recent posts by username "Dixon".

Rant:  since Bandwidth is shutting down ring.to for OBi users, they really ought to work out an automated and streamlined procedure to simply port the numbers into GV, upon their users' request.  It's not rocket science.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Dixon on December 24, 2015, 05:37:24 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on December 24, 2015, 05:33:11 PM
It's mostly Bandwidth's fault.  They operate ring.to, and they're the primary CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier) for Google Voice.  You added an additional mess to the process by porting into T-Mobile, and then porting to Google Voice.   Somewhere along that process, Bandwidth didn't properly re-route your number's inbound calling to their switch.

ring.to and Google Voice numbers are treated as land lines for number porting purposes.  Land line ports go through a different, and more complex process than a simple mobile carrier-->mobile carrier port.  Mobile ports can be completed in minutes.  Land line ports can take many days.  The porting process into GV is mostly automated.  If an error occurs, you would have seen the error notification on your Google Voice settings page, and could have clicked on it to attempt to correct the error.

I looked on the GV forum and didn't find any recent posts by username "Dixon".

Rant:  since Bandwidth is shutting down ring.to for OBi users, they really ought to work out an automated and streamlined procedure to simply port the numbers into GV, upon their users' request.  It's not rocket science.


https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/voice/it_8aI_qboM;context-place=topicsearchin/voice/category$3Aporting-a-number-to-google-voice (https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/voice/it_8aI_qboM;context-place=topicsearchin/voice/category$3Aporting-a-number-to-google-voice)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on December 24, 2015, 05:46:58 PM
Quote from: Dixon on December 24, 2015, 05:37:24 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on December 24, 2015, 05:33:11 PM
It's mostly Bandwidth's fault.  They operate ring.to, and they're the primary CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier) for Google Voice.  You added an additional mess to the process by porting into T-Mobile, and then porting to Google Voice.   Somewhere along that process, Bandwidth didn't properly re-route your number's inbound calling to their switch.

ring.to and Google Voice numbers are treated as land lines for number porting purposes.  Land line ports go through a different, and more complex process than a simple mobile carrier-->mobile carrier port.  Mobile ports can be completed in minutes.  Land line ports can take many days.  The porting process into GV is mostly automated.  If an error occurs, you would have seen the error notification on your Google Voice settings page, and could have clicked on it to attempt to correct the error.

I looked on the GV forum and didn't find any recent posts by username "Dixon".

Rant:  since Bandwidth is shutting down ring.to for OBi users, they really ought to work out an automated and streamlined procedure to simply port the numbers into GV, upon their users' request.  It's not rocket science.


https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/voice/it_8aI_qboM;context-place=topicsearchin/voice/category$3Aporting-a-number-to-google-voice (https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/voice/it_8aI_qboM;context-place=topicsearchin/voice/category$3Aporting-a-number-to-google-voice)

"Dixon" is not "doctorwizz1".  In any case, the person that responded to that post apparently didn't notice your last reply, where his next step would have been to escalate it to Google engineering.

Regardless, the information I posted above still applies, and you could have helped yourself by waiting a day or two longer after porting from ring.to to T-Mobile, setting a T-Mobile account PIN, adding funds, and ensuring that both inbound and outbound calling worked properly before initiating the subsequent port into GV.  Then, you could have checked your own porting status and told Captain Chase what it was reporting, which would have zeroed in on the actual cause.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: chilirock on February 27, 2016, 07:48:13 AM
I am am in the process of porting my cable company provided phone number to GV. I have initiated the porting request to T-mobile. I have a question about timing after the T-mobile port / transfer is complete.

After I receive the text message from T-mobile indicating that the transfer is complete, do I need to wait any additional time before initiating the porting request to GV? Or can I initiate the GV transfer request as soon as I receive the confirmation from T-mobile and test both inbound and outbound calls on the T-mobile phone?

Thanks for your help.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: transam98 on February 27, 2016, 08:10:48 AM
I didnt wait anytime (maybe like 1-2 hours).... and just make sure you REMEMBER your PIN # that TMOBILE Gave you (or you chose) as you need it when you initiate the GV Porting and pay GV their $20 !
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on February 27, 2016, 02:19:51 PM
Quote from: chilirock on February 27, 2016, 07:48:13 AM
I am am in the process of porting my cable company provided phone number to GV. I have initiated the porting request to T-mobile. I have a question about timing after the T-mobile port / transfer is complete.

After I receive the text message from T-mobile indicating that the transfer is complete, do I need to wait any additional time before initiating the porting request to GV? Or can I initiate the GV transfer request as soon as I receive the confirmation from T-mobile and test both inbound and outbound calls on the T-mobile phone?

Thanks for your help.

Based on the many users doing this on the Google Voice help forum, I strongly advise waiting a few days after porting into T-Mobile, to ensure that the port is fully completed, including cancellation of your cable company's service and updates broadcast throughout the telephone network to all providers.  Porting while some of those balls are still in the air causes difficult-to-resolve issues.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Scott2 on March 02, 2016, 09:22:39 AM
Looks like it is a simple thing if you follow the right steps.   If you have a POTS copper landline number, when do you deactivate with the telephone company?   I was thinking after following the steps to port but then wont you have the number listed in two different systems?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on March 02, 2016, 04:34:29 PM
Quote from: Scott2 on March 02, 2016, 09:22:39 AM
Looks like it is a simple thing if you follow the right steps.   If you have a POTS copper landline number, when do you deactivate with the telephone company?   I was thinking after following the steps to port but then wont you have the number listed in two different systems?

You DON'T deactivate (cancel service) with the losing telephone company.  If you do that yourself, you will permanently lose the right to use that number or port it out.  Instead, the porting process itself will notify the losing carrier to discontinue service at the right step during the port, after it's successfully re-routed to the new carrier.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jwyfk on May 05, 2016, 08:35:01 AM
I ported my landline number a long time ago using an AT&T GoPhone that I purchased brand new. Even though I only used it for a week, selling it has been difficult. At this point, I'd like to give it away for free to someone on this forum who could also use it to port their landline. It's currently listed on Craigslist for $5, but if you contact me, just let me know you're from the OBiTALK forum and it will be free, except for shipping of course. Here is a link to the post:

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mob/5565245978.html

Thanks,
John
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Dubhead on May 16, 2016, 11:21:19 PM
Okay, I dove into the Obi202 expecting it would be pretty straightforward to get a local Google Voice number, set it up with the Obi202 and be on my merry way.  As it turns out, there are no number left in my state(!! - WA) for Google Voice and so as I read in a few other locations it would be possible to secure a local number via a prepaid SIM card from either AT&T or T-Mobile.  I decided to go spend $10 for a basic AT&T prepaid SIM with a local "206" area code number that I was looking for and then entered the number into Google Voice's Number Porting utility that then indicates "Ooops! This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support." so it seems like that is dead in the water and $10 down the hole.  The next questions I have are this:

   I did want to say, that I did go ahead and pick up a free GV number well outside of my state to verify my equipment works and it does so very well.  Just hoping to really find a way to get a "local" number ported to Google Voice but may end up having to pay for proper VoIP service to get this.  Any thoughts on this appreciated.

~Dubhead  8)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on May 17, 2016, 03:00:00 PM
Quote from: Dubhead on May 16, 2016, 11:21:19 PM
Okay, I dove into the Obi202 expecting it would be pretty straightforward to get a local Google Voice number, set it up with the Obi202 and be on my merry way.  As it turns out, there are no number left in my state(!! - WA) for Google Voice and so as I read in a few other locations it would be possible to secure a local number via a prepaid SIM card from either AT&T or T-Mobile.  I decided to go spend $10 for a basic AT&T prepaid SIM with a local "206" area code number that I was looking for and then entered the number into Google Voice's Number Porting utility that then indicates "Ooops! This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support." so it seems like that is dead in the water and $10 down the hole.  The next questions I have are this:

  • If I try T-Mobile Prepaid SIM, how do I check if the number is eligible if I still have to buy the SIM first and then get number to enter into the site to validate it can be ported to Google Voice?
  • Is there any way to salvage the AT&T number I already have to port it into Google Voice? I had thought maybe porting it somewhere else first and then port to Google Voice, but that is likely not possible or a total waste of money.
  • If I have to forgo Google Voice to use with Obi202 completely, what is most comparable VoIP service out there to Google Voice that might allow me to get a number with 206 area code?

   I did want to say, that I did go ahead and pick up a free GV number well outside of my state to verify my equipment works and it does so very well.  Just hoping to really find a way to get a "local" number ported to Google Voice but may end up having to pay for proper VoIP service to get this.  Any thoughts on this appreciated.

~Dubhead  8)

Hi:  sorry to hear that.  Many of the original area codes (the codes with a 1 or a 0 in the middle) now are depleted of numbers.  The 206 number you got from AT&T GoPhone should have worked; perhaps it is in a number block that Google's carrier can't port.

There is no list or other way to predict whether or not a number will be portable until you enter that specific number into Google Voice's number porting dashboard.

https://www.google.com/voice/porting (https://www.google.com/voice/porting)

In theory, you could try a number from T-Mobile next.  It's the same crapshoot, but since you can buy a T-Mobile SIM directly from them, for $.99 and add the minimum amount of calling minutes ($10?) it's not a huge gamble.

Porting the AT&T number to some other carrier first does nothing.  Portability is determined by which carrier owned the number originally, in which thousands block of numbers, on which phone switch.

IF you want to give up, you may be able to either port that GoPhone number, or get a new number, from Callcentric in 206, or one of the adjacent area codes (be careful of the location of the number, so as to not end up with a number that is a long distance call for your main contacts).
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: RexKramer on May 19, 2016, 06:51:25 PM
I read nearly all of the 17 pages and 5 years of posts here....but didn't find the answer to this question.

I ported out of my T-Mobile prepaid account to GV successfully.  Since I had to fund that Tmob account with $10 and only $3 was used (for the first month of service) ... there is still $7 in that account.  Can you recover that $7 or activate another SIM into that account?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on May 19, 2016, 06:55:20 PM
Quote from: RexKramer on May 19, 2016, 06:51:25 PM
I read nearly all of the 17 pages and 5 years of posts here....but didn't find the answer to this question.

I ported out of my T-Mobile prepaid account to GV successfully.  Since I had to fund that Tmob account with $10 and only $3 was used (for the first month of service) ... there is still $7 in that account.  Can you recover that $7 or activate another SIM into that account?

Well, you wouldn't find the answer here, since that isn't an Obihai nor Google Voice related question.

No, you paid T-Mobile for a bucket of prepaid calling minutes, so that you could activate and use their telephone service.  Porting your number out of that T-Mobile prepaid account canceled service with T-Mobile, and thus, discarded the remaining balance on that T-Mobile account.  If you want to spend time on the phone with T-Mobile customer service, exploring how to recover that unused $7, that would be your only option.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: LTN1 on May 19, 2016, 09:32:54 PM
Quote from: RexKramer on May 19, 2016, 06:51:25 PM
I read nearly all of the 17 pages and 5 years of posts here....but didn't find the answer to this question.

I ported out of my T-Mobile prepaid account to GV successfully.  Since I had to fund that Tmob account with $10 and only $3 was used (for the first month of service) ... there is still $7 in that account.  Can you recover that $7 or activate another SIM into that account?

Steve is correct. You could have found the answer quickly by dialing T-Mobile, not an OBi forum. But if you haven't called yet, I'll throw you a bone and tell you that you can transfer your funds in one SIM account to a new one. But...you have to call T-Mobile to do the transfer.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Standroid on June 09, 2016, 11:39:38 AM
I'm getting ready to port my landline number to GV and my new OBi202.

I have a prepaid Tmobile feature phone - unlocked and currently in use with a Tmobile account that I've had for years. I expect to be able to pull out that SIM for a few days and plug in the new, throwaway SIM. But, there may be a hitch...

My home, where the OBi202 will live, is 15 miles from the nearest wireless signal - Tmobile or any other carrier. I use my Tmobile service only when traveling.

My question: At which point(s) in the porting procedure will it be necessary for my Tmobile phone to be "in service", i.e. receiving a usable Tmobile wireless signal?

Thanks,

Stan
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on June 09, 2016, 01:43:58 PM
You will need to be able to receive and answer one verification phone call from Google Voice, when you begin the porting process on the Google Voice website.  Google will call the phone number you submit, and you will enter a two-digit code on your phone's keypad.  That's it.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Standroid on June 09, 2016, 02:17:12 PM
Ahh... It sounds like I will need to be able access the GV website and specifically the porting page while my feature phone has a Tmobile signal.

So, sitting in my car I can access the GV website with my Android phablet through my existing Tmobile data service, but are those GV porting pages mobile friendly? Or, do they insist that I be on a desktop browser?

I'd like to have my ducks in line before making the hour long pilgrimage to the nearest Tmobile signal.

Stan
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on June 09, 2016, 02:24:12 PM
No, the web pages are not designed to be mobile-friendly.

Take your laptop computer to any place that has WiFi service, like Starbucks or McDonalds or the public library.  Take your phone.  Set it up there.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Standroid on June 09, 2016, 02:43:24 PM
Thanks. That will save me a false start.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Standroid on June 22, 2016, 12:20:37 PM
Update: Found a solution.

To avoid taking this thread off topic I have started a new thread, http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=11387.0 (http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=11387.0).

Stan
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: NJ_Greg on March 08, 2017, 12:14:09 PM
No luck here.  Ported my Comcast landline to ATT Go Phone (walked into store with old iphone, asked for pay as you go plan for .25/min.  Put the minimum $10 on it.)  All for $10 and change.  Waited for the port to complete.  Attempted to port the number to GV.  Got the error

"Porting your mobile number to Google Voice is unavailable
Your mobile number can not be ported at this time.
- This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support for porting."

Currently in process porting another number from Vonage to ATT Go Phone also but not optimistic that I will be able to move that one to GV either.  Both numbers were originally Level3 owned numbers so I assume if the first doesn't work, the second won't work either.

The plan was to port our main home number to my wife's GV number and the secondary number to mine and use them both with the OBi202 I purchansed.  Am I out of options attempting to keep my numbers while removing my monthly payments?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on March 08, 2017, 01:12:27 PM
If the Google Voice porting dashboard displays that message, then there is no way to port in the number(s).

You could either get a new number from Google's supply of free numbers (which might not be in your local calling exchange), or you can give up on Google Voice, and instead, port into a SIP VoIP service provider like Callcentric, voip.ms or Phonepower.  These smaller service providers often work with multiple CLECs (Bandwidth.com, Level 3, etc), and they may be able to port in your number.  Google only uses Bandwidth for hosting ported-in numbers (they have an enormous contract with BW, making it more cost effective than using multiple carriers).
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: NJ_Greg on March 09, 2017, 05:30:40 AM
That's what I figured.  Bummer.  I assume I can port the numbers to callcentric.  Get their $6/mo unlimited personal receive call plan, and use the GV numbers to dial out with?  That would let me keep both numbers for $12/mo which is still much less than what I was paying for Vonage and Comcast.  Seems to be the cheapest way to keep my numbers for incoming calls.  Again, this is all with the OBi202.  
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on March 10, 2017, 04:56:40 PM
Quote from: NJ_Greg on March 09, 2017, 05:30:40 AM
That's what I figured.  Bummer.  I assume I can port the numbers to callcentric.  Get their $6/mo unlimited personal receive call plan, and use the GV numbers to dial out with?  That would let me keep both numbers for $12/mo which is still much less than what I was paying for Vonage and Comcast.  Seems to be the cheapest way to keep my numbers for incoming calls.  Again, this is all with the OBi202.  

You can do that, and/or you can just abandon Google Voice entirely, and use Callcentric for both inbound and outbound calling.  The advantage of going all-Callcentric will be that your outbound calls will display your correct caller ID for the two inbound lines.  Depending on your outbound call volume, it isn't that much more money to subscribe to an outbound calling plan.  Besides, you need E911 service, and Google Voice can't call 911.

For example:  I subscribe to their North America 500 plan, for $6.95/month.  It includes the 911 service that would otherwise be $1.50/month.  Even their North America Basic plan for $1.95 month gives you 120 minutes plus 911.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: tempo150101 on March 19, 2017, 01:27:24 PM
I am very comfortable with Google Voice. It's not 100% perfect, but it meets my needs well enough. I have been using it for at least five years, even before I bought my Obi.

In fact, I am about to do this again for my parents' long-standing landline number.

Google Voice will not port landline numbers, but will port numbers from cell phones.

The way around this was as follows: I bought a T-Mobile prepaid SIM card for $7.49 through Ebay, I bought one month of service and ported my landline number over to them. Then I ported the T-Mobile number over to Google Voice.

Last time I tried this was exactly two years ago and it worked out well. -- I don't use that number anymore, but I had it for 20 years and wanted to keep it. It's the number I give to everybody when I have to sign up for something from my Kroger card to all my credit cards. Their telemarketers can call there as much as they want.

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: stevies3 on September 09, 2017, 02:11:29 PM
I see many here have used T-Mobile to port there landline number to prior to GV. Is T-Mobile preferred?  Will ATT work just as easily? I ask as ATT is more convenient for me. 
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on September 09, 2017, 04:57:31 PM
AT&T is fine.  Note that there are two different services:  The traditional AT&T Wireless postpaid plans, and AT&T GoPhone, the prepaid subsidiary.  When submitting the porting form to Google, be sure you have obtained the correct information from AT&T or from GoPhone.  The account number for GoPhone is not displayed anywhere you can see; you need to contact them and ask for it.

It's crucial to follow the process methodically, and not to get impatient and rush things.

Start by entering your number into the Google Voice porting dashboard:  https://www.google.com/voice/porting (https://www.google.com/voice/porting)

One of three things will be reported back to you:

If you get the "area" error, then your number cannot be ported to Google Voice, regardless of first porting it to a mobile carrier.  The other two messages mean you're likely to be successful.

Wait several dayts after porting it from the land line to the mobile carrier, and ensure that you can both make and answer voice calls on the mobile phone, and send and receive text messages.  Do NOT attempt to port it into Google Voice before that point.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Almighty1 on September 18, 2017, 07:23:53 AM
The best and cheapest way to port from a landline or even mobile to Google Voice is to actually port to Google Project Fi first since basically you just need to order a phone too and pay for it first.

After the phone arrives, you activate the Google Project Fi service and then port.  When the porting is complete, you cancel the Project Fi service which is $0.67/day + tax and you basically return the phone for a refund which Google will provide prepaid return shipping label for.  

When you cancel Google Project Fi, you can keep the same number on Google Voice for free.  If you port your phone number to Google Voice from anyone else, there is a $30 porting fee on the Google Voice side.


Do not do this.  It is not the intended way to port a number to Google Voice.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on September 18, 2017, 07:56:19 AM
Quote from: Almighty1 on September 18, 2017, 07:23:53 AM
The best and cheapest way to port from a landline or even mobile to Google Voice is to actually port to Google Project Fi first since basically you just need to order a phone too and pay for it first.

After the phone arrives, you activate the Google Project Fi service and then port.  When the porting is complete, you cancel the Project Fi service which is $0.67/day + tax and you basically return the phone for a refund which Google will provide prepaid return shipping label for.  

When you cancel Google Project Fi, you can keep the same number on Google Voice for free.  If you port your phone number to Google Voice from anyone else, there is a $30 porting fee on the Google Voice side.

That is a pretty heinous scam, wasting Google's money and rendering that very expensive phone unable to be resold as new.

Just do what everybody else does:  port the land line into a T-Mobile or GoPhone prepaid service, using any old compatible mobile phone, wait a few days for everything to work properly, and then port it to Google Voice
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: stevies3 on October 25, 2017, 06:43:39 AM
I ported my landline to ATT cellular (iphone) on 10/22, as of today, 10/25 I can receive and make calls via my cell phone as well as receive and send texts.   Oddly I can't receive phone calls to my iphone from a landline phone number just yet, just other cell numbers. If a landline calls my cell number my house landline rings.    I think this will remedy itself when my landline account (FIOS) officially closes my account which is scheduled for 10/26.  if all goes well I will then port my iphone number to Google Voice.  
PS: My landline is still functional at my home until they officially close my account.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: PennyCat on October 30, 2017, 08:40:30 PM
So I'm awaiting my line to be ported from Anveo to T-Mobile in order to port it to GV.  What is the preferred option for 911 and/or CNAME caller id?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on October 30, 2017, 09:28:20 PM
Callcentric.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: stevies3 on October 31, 2017, 05:31:45 PM
if using Callcentric as the 911 & caller ID option, can the Callcentric number also be used as a second phone number for a fax machine?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on October 31, 2017, 05:37:50 PM
If you want to route your Google Voice number's inbound calls to a Callcentric phone number, then that CC phone number will be receiving voice telephone calls on your attached phone.  If you also plug in a fax machine, you need to either set it to not auto-answer inbound calls, or you need to get another (second) Callcentric number, and dedicate that number to your fax machine.  In so doing, you'd set the ring pattern for the second number to be a "distinctive ring" pattern, and your fax machine would have to be able to properly handle answering only on the distinctive ring.

Callcentric also has an inbound fax mailbox service, which can receive inbound faxes and email you the document as a file.

As for outbound fax, sometimes it's flaky, due to VoIP technology vs. fax technology, but you could fax from either the GV number or the CC number.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: JMV88 on November 06, 2017, 06:19:09 AM
Has anyone known of someone that has "rolled the dice" and ordered a prepaid SIM card and completed all the porting over without making test calls, texts, etc. in a unlocked phone? Only reason I ask is I do not own a unlocked cell (have a locked Verizon) and am trying to avoid buying one just for the purpose of a quick test. Thanks!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on November 06, 2017, 10:42:54 AM
You cannot port a number into a prepaid mobile service, followed by porting it into Google Voice, unless you insert the SIM into a cell phone and make it usable by adding some calling credit.  You must be able to receive text messages on the phone to complete the port into Google Voice.

Buy only a SIM from the prepaid divisions of AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile.  Do not use a SIM from H20, Lycamobile, MintSIM, UltraMobile, Consumer Cellular, or any other MVNO seller.  Those companies are incompetent at porting.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: JMV88 on November 08, 2017, 05:23:34 PM
Thank you Steve. Much appreciated.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: X-15 on November 28, 2017, 08:12:00 PM
I picked up an Obihai box after doing a sanity check with the Google Voice porting tool using my landline number (according to Obihai's port tutorial). I had an old Nexus 5x available to me from another family member to use to port the number over to Fi, which was finally successfully completed after a few phone calls to my old landline provider. However, despite the message I initially got from the Google Voice porting tool ("Ooops! We currently don't support porting from your carrier."), it turns out that I cannot port my number to Google Voice.  The option to port out to Google Voice on the Fi cancellation page is grayed out, and in the Google Voice porting tool, I get "Sorry. Your mobile number can not be ported at this time." This is after waiting for well over a week for any carrier database updates to propagate. So apparently, relying on the messages from the Google Voice porting tool when checking landlines is not the most reliable way to determine if a number can be ported to Google Voice.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: JMV88 on December 13, 2017, 03:55:33 PM
All I have to say is T-Mobile's customer service is beyond horrible. I started the porting process on or about Nov. 20th, 2017. It is now Dec. 13th, 2017 and they are still having problems. The carrier I am porting from (Spectrum) has authorized the porting. So the issue is not with them. It has been a slew of errors on T-Mobile's end, including entering my Spectrum account number incorrectly twice, entering a wrong service address, etc...I am currently sitting on hold once again for the past hour as I type this post. Someone comes on about every 20 minutes to say they are looking into it? Now I was just hung up on as I was waiting for a supervisor. Not the 1st time that has happened, btw. All this is compounded by that their support is all handled in India by support staff who are extremely polite and friendly,  but communicate in very broken English and seem quite confused. I don't know what else to try except to keep at it???
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on December 13, 2017, 04:10:10 PM
That's unusual, given that thousands of people have ported in from T-Mobile with little difficulty.  Personally, I can't blame them for trying to cut costs on these ports, because they are losing money on each one, and users who do these two-step ports are taking advantage of T-Mobile with no follow-on revenue from actual mobile phone bills.

If you continue to get nowhere, you might consider getting T-Mobile to completely cancel the port, then waiting a week for the porting system mess to be purged from the system, and then submitting a port request to AT&T Prepaid instead of T-Mobile.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: JMV88 on December 14, 2017, 12:08:09 PM
The AT&T option looks like a good possibility now. After a 2 hour phone call yesterday and many levels of escalation, I was assured once again this would be completed by this morning and I would receive a confirmation text. Now the middle of the afternoon and still no confirmation....Thanks Steve.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: helpme-obiwan on January 24, 2018, 10:21:18 AM
Forgive me if this has been asked/answered....   I have Comcast voice now for my home number, I also have Google Fi and a Fi compatible phone for my cell. 

The previously disavowed post gave me an idea.  I guess I could port my Comcast number to a new Google account for Google Fi service, activate with my current, legitimate phone, and then cancel the Fi service to port the number right into GV?  it seems pretty much the same whether it's through T-Mobile or Fi? 
Fi should support the port in from Comcast as a cells service even though GV doesn't, right?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on January 24, 2018, 03:23:54 PM
Quote from: helpme-obiwan on January 24, 2018, 10:21:18 AM
Forgive me if this has been asked/answered....   I have Comcast voice now for my home number, I also have Google Fi and a Fi compatible phone for my cell. 

The previously disavowed post gave me an idea.  I guess I could port my Comcast number to a new Google account for Google Fi service, activate with my current, legitimate phone, and then cancel the Fi service to port the number right into GV?  it seems pretty much the same whether it's through T-Mobile or Fi? 
Fi should support the port in from Comcast as a cells service even though GV doesn't, right?

No.  Don't risk messing with your Fi account.  Just follow the typical process.
Title: Landline Port-IN...T-Mobile Instructions Conflict with OBI Procedure
Post by: McBeevee on January 26, 2018, 08:16:24 PM
Hi Folks,

I followed the process outlined by Obi and Steve regarding the port in process. I purchased a T-Mobile SIM card for my iPhone 5s. I installed the new SIM card, logged onto the T-Mobile site and activated the service. I was assigned a phone number, received confirmation texts and successfully made test calls.

I then contacted T-Mobile and the problems began. I was informed that I now need a NEW SIM card in order to port-in my landline (Frontier Communications) telephone number. Two different representative advised AGAINST activating the SIM card before calling them.

Sorry, but a bit frustrated. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Otherwise...I guess I'm buying a new SIM card (again).

Thanks!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on January 26, 2018, 09:13:46 PM
Yeah, they sometimes tell you that, because their process may make it easier to activate a SIM with the ported number from the start, vs. activating the SIM with one of their random mobile numbers.

The SIMs are cheap; just bite the bullet and go for it.  And, remember, you must add some funds to the account, if this is a prepaid SIM, so that it can be fully activated, and you can both make and receive phone calls on that number when it's at T-Mobile.

For the most trouble-free porting experience, based on recent porting problems with the overall number porting system, I strongly recommend waiting a full week after porting the land line number to the mobile carrier, before then submitting the subsequent port request to Google Voice.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: McBeevee on January 26, 2018, 09:22:50 PM
Thanks Steve! I appreciate it.
Title: Landline after port to GV
Post by: tjoyce on February 03, 2018, 05:03:48 PM
The  steps seem to be:

1.  Port landline# to a wireless carrier
2.  Port the just-ported wireless "landline" number to GV

Question:

When the GV porting is completed, my wireless "landline" # is now my GV
number.  At this point my old, landline base station will  start ringing when someone dials my
landline #, correct?

Just want to make sure before I pull the plug on my current telco carrier.
Title: Re: Landline after port to GV
Post by: SteveInWA on February 03, 2018, 05:29:06 PM
Quote from: tjoyce on February 03, 2018, 05:03:48 PM
The  steps seem to be:

1.  Port landline# to a wireless carrier
2.  Port the just-ported wireless "landline" number to GV

Question:

When the GV porting is completed, my wireless "landline" # is now my GV
number.  At this point my old, landline base station will  start ringing when someone dials my
landline #, correct?

Just want to make sure before I pull the plug on my current telco carrier.

No.  "Porting" by definition, is a telecom industry term.  It involves a "losing" carrier, and a "gaining" carrier.  The losing carrier is the carrier to which inbound calls route, and thus, ring on a telephone.  The gaining carrier is the carrier that you request to take over that function.  You end up with telephone calls being routed to your telephone via that new, gaining carrier.  Whatever connection you had to the old, losing carrier, along with whatever you were paying them for service, ends.

The "base station" you refer to is unclear.  If it's a cordless phone system, and the "base station" is plugged into a telephone jack in the wall, that connection will stop working.  You'd then need to buy an OBi device, set up the Google Voice account on the OBi, unplug the telephone cord from the wall and plug it into the OBi.

Here is more detailed information and clarification:


Keys to success:


Read all the porting instructions, here:  https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667#xferin (https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667#xferin)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: tjoyce on February 03, 2018, 05:55:44 PM
Thanks Steve....

My base station is a cordless phone and I currently have an OBi200 ready to go, so based on your reply, once I port to GV and plug the cordless phone base station into the OBi, it should start ringing.

Thanks again
Tom
Title: Re: Landline after port to GV
Post by: TheVs on February 04, 2018, 04:49:14 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on February 03, 2018, 05:29:06 PM
Quote from: tjoyce on February 03, 2018, 05:03:48 PM
The  steps seem to be:

1.  Port landline# to a wireless carrier
2.  Port the just-ported wireless "landline" number to GV

Question:

When the GV porting is completed, my wireless "landline" # is now my GV
number.  At this point my old, landline base station will  start ringing when someone dials my
landline #, correct?

Just want to make sure before I pull the plug on my current telco carrier.

No.  "Porting" by definition, is a telecom industry term.  It involves a "losing" carrier, and a "gaining" carrier.  The losing carrier is the carrier to which inbound calls route, and thus, ring on a telephone.  The gaining carrier is the carrier that you request to take over that function.  You end up with telephone calls being routed to your telephone via that new, gaining carrier.  Whatever connection you had to the old, losing carrier, along with whatever you were paying them for service, ends.

The "base station" you refer to is unclear.  If it's a cordless phone system, and the "base station" is plugged into a telephone jack in the wall, that connection will stop working.  You'd then need to buy an OBi device, set up the Google Voice account on the OBi, unplug the telephone cord from the wall and plug it into the OBi.

Here is more detailed information and clarification:


  • Google Voice is not a "free telephone company".  It is a call forwarding and message management system.  You still need some sort of telephone service, so that calls to your Google Voice virtual number can be forwarded to a real telephone, and so you can record and manage your voicemail greetings.  An OBi device is also a forwarding destination, but it can't be used to record greetings.
  • Google Voice cannot call 911.  Again, it is not a standalone substitute for home phone service.
  • Google Voice can only accept ports-in from mobile phone carriers.  You will have to first port the number into a mobile phone carrier,  wait a full week for that port to fully complete, and then port the number into Google Voice, which can take several more days.  You can't do this instantly, in one day.
  • Cost:  at minimum, you would need a prepaid phone, or a prepaid SIM to put in somebody's unlocked phone, a minimum purchase of calling minutes (typically $10) and a $20 fee paid to Google to perform the port-in from the mobile carrier.
  • You can use AT&T GoPhone, or T-Mobile Prepaid; take your pick.  Do not use one of the SIM-sellers such as H20, Lycamobile, MintSIM, etc, as they have very poor track records with number porting, and almost no customer support.

Keys to success:


  • Do not rush.  Be patient and wait.  Churning a port from a landline carrier to a mobile carrier, and then to Google Voice, in a couple of days will usually encounter errors, and tends to make a mess in the porting system.
  • Make sure that both outbound and inbound calling and text messaging work on the mobile phone before taking further steps.
  • You should contact the mobile carrier and specifically ask them:  "I need to port my number out of (this mobile carrier).  What is the account number and PIN I need to submit to my new carrier, so that (this mobile carrier) will accept the request."  This information is often not displayed on the carrier's web page, nor clear as to which numbers to use.
  • You will need to submit the porting form on the Google Voice web site, which may not initially have a spot to enter the PIN.  If your carrier requires a PIN, submit the form without it, wait for it to fail and come back with a note complaining about a missing PIN, and then you can reopen the porting form, which will now have a space for you to type in the PIN.
  • You must purchase enough prepaid calling minute credit to be able to make and answer a few test calls and texts on the mobile phone, and to answer the automated verification call from Google.

Read all the porting instructions, here:  https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667#xferin (https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667#xferin)

Thanks for all the info, I just went to the T Mobile store and they wanted $10 for a sim card and $50 to setup my account, not sure if I asked for the wrong thing, but I wasn't expecting this..Looking into the AT&T options I notice the AT&T GoPhone is now AT&T Prepaid - I have a few questions - 1. Does this behave the same way as GoPhone ? Does it matter that my current home number that I'm trying to port is provided by AT&T already ?

Thanks for your thoughts.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on February 04, 2018, 04:53:33 PM
You can use AT&T Prepaid.  It is simply a name change from GoPhone.

With regard to T-Mobile prepaid, people typically buy a T-Mobile SIM online and the minimum number of minutes that they sell as a bucket of minutes.  There isn't a $50 fee.

Bottom line:  this is a hack, to change your landline phone number into a mobile number.  You're taking advantage of the mobile carrier by having them port in the number, and then they will lose the business by porting it out again.  This isn't free for the carrier to do, so whatever cost you pay to them to buy a SIM and some minutes is covering their cost doing this.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Slamor07 on March 30, 2018, 05:17:10 AM
New here...Just ported Straight Talk Home Phone to GV in 24hrs.

I did check if GV Porting Tool would accept my Straight Talk number ...Congratulations # is portable.

Straight Talk Home which uses Verizon ported directly to GV w/o using Tmobile or any other SIM card.

In GV, I forwarded calls to my personal cell which I linked to GV until OBi200 arrives tomorrow. Then I will connect home phone to OBi200 and unforward calls from personal cell.

The porting process was seamless.
;D 
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: brad.mccollum on March 30, 2018, 08:56:21 AM
My experience of porting/transferring a number from Ooma > ATT Prepaid Wireless > Google Voice.

Began the process of porting/transferring a long-standing Ooma "home" number on Thurs., March 22, 2018.

--- Went into local ATT store on 03/22/2018 explaining that I'd like to get the cheapest ATT Prepaid Phone possibly with nothing fancy on the plan in order to ultimately port my Ooma-associated # to Google Voice.  No issues.  Got in/out of there for a total of $30.

--- Received msg. on ATT's site later on that day that the port request to get the Ooma-associated # ported to the new ATT prepaid wireless phone failed.  At this point, a back and forth between myself, ATT, and Ooma began and this went on for several days straight.  I was anticipating these issues, as most of what I'd read online from people that were trying to port a # *away* from Ooma had stated that it was a nightmare trying to deal with Ooma.  I found this very much to be the case.  ATT and I spoke numerous times, the # port request was resubmitted by ATT to Ooma numerous additional times, and those additional requests were all turned down again... about 4 times.  I finally got ATT and myself and Ooma porting support on the phone together.  For the longest time, all we could get out of Ooma was that the port request failed due to either missing info. or incorrect info.  We asked them SPECIFICALLY what was missing or incorrect, and they never would/could give us a specific answer, simply reverting back to their bland statement that the port request was denied due to either missing or incomplete info. provided in the port request submission.  A very helpful ATT representative finally got them to divulge that in the "remarks" section of the port request ATT was resubmitting, to put "Ooma, Inc." along with Ooma's business address in Palo Alto, CA in that same "remarks" section.  That finally did the trick, with the port from Ooma to ATT being completed in another 2-or-so days.  At the point of receiving the "completed" msg. on ATT's "port status check" page, I turned on the ATT prepaid cell phone for the first time and set the phone up and could indeed verify that my previous Ooma # was now associated with this ATT prepaid cell.

--- On Wednesday, March 28, 2018, I initiated a request in Google Voice to port the # from ATT to Google Voice.

--- On Friday, March 30, 2018, just under 48 hours from the port request from ATT to Google Voice, I received a msg. that the # was now associated with Google Voice.

All in all, the Ooma to ATT port was a nightmare and Ooma proved to be very unhelpful with the entire process until a very helpful ATT representative pressed them very hard for details on *exactly* how the port request needed to be resubmitted in order for the request to be carried out properly.  The ATT to Google Voice port was very straightforward and completed with no issues.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: glnz6 on April 01, 2018, 01:05:43 PM
  
Thanks to SteveInWA for his excellent porting "philosophy" above at http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=1051.msg86959#msg86959 (http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=1051.msg86959#msg86959).

I add to that as follows:  After you order the first port from a copper land line to your cheap prepaid mobile phone (or SIM card), wait at least for that copper land line to go dead before you try to start your second port to Google Voice.  I would actually wait a few more days as well for the new network information to propagate out to the world before you start your second port to Google Voice.

Also, I used a Verizon Wireless prepaid flip phone for my interim destination - a Samsung Gusto.  The phone itself is about $50, and it costs about $30 for a month's use.  Since I was porting out Verizon copper land line numbers, I wanted to stay "in the family" in case something went wrong.  Also, I found that Verizon Wireless's "porting department" at 888-844-7095 was pretty good in helping me get over a snag for the first port.  (I did not need them for the second port to Google Voice, and I'm not sure they could have helped for the port OUT anyway.)

Also, thanks to lots of advice on this and other forums by SteveInWA and friends, when I bought the Verizon Wireless prepaid flip phone Samsung Gusto, I had the fellow in the Verizon Wireless store write down ALL the info I would need on the Google Voice porting web page - the Verizon Wireless prepaid flip phone's account number, account name (which I had designated anyway), account address (which he picked the first time and I picked the second time), PIN (which I had designated) and the email address for the account (which I had designated).  Having that written down on the receipt printed page for the Verizon Wireless prepaid flip phone Samsung Gusto was very helpful when I was finally at the Google Voice porting web page.
 
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: eaglemaster on April 01, 2018, 08:25:51 PM
Quote from: glnz6 on April 01, 2018, 01:05:43 PM
 
Thanks to SteveInWA for his excellent porting "philosophy" above at http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=1051.msg86959#msg86959 (http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=1051.msg86959#msg86959).

I add to that as follows:  After you order the first port from a copper land line to your cheap prepaid mobile phone (or SIM card), wait at least for that copper land line to go dead before you try to start your second port to Google Voice.  I would actually wait a few more days as well for the new network information to propagate out to the world before you start your second port to Google Voice.

Also, I used a Verizon Wireless prepaid flip phone for my interim destination - a Samsung Gusto.  The phone itself is about $50, and it costs about $30 for a month's use.  Since I was porting out Verizon copper land line numbers, I wanted to stay "in the family" in case something went wrong.  Also, I found that Verizon Wireless's "porting department" at 888-844-7095 was pretty good in helping me get over a snag for the first port.  (I did not need them for the second port to Google Voice, and I'm not sure they could have helped for the port OUT anyway.)

Also, thanks to lots of advice on this and other forums by SteveInWA and friends, when I bought the Verizon Wireless prepaid flip phone Samsung Gusto, I had the fellow in the Verizon Wireless store write down ALL the info I would need on the Google Voice porting web page - the Verizon Wireless prepaid flip phone's account number, account name (which I had designated anyway), account address (which he picked the first time and I picked the second time), PIN (which I had designated) and the email address for the account (which I had designated).  Having that written down on the receipt printed page for the Verizon Wireless prepaid flip phone Samsung Gusto was very helpful when I was finally at the Google Voice porting web page.
 

thanks for the info i am also in route to make this happen since u suggested "Verizon Prepaid - Samsung Gusto 3 " i found on bestbuy website for $9.99 + taxes but couldnt see any cheap prepaid planes all i could see was unlimited or my other option is getting tmobile simcard from ebay  for $5 shipped to my home and i can use some old unlocked phone to me it seems like verizon was easy on you when it came to porting, also my current home voip is Vonage so not even sure if porting number will be easy but i did do the tmobile number port test and my number was eligible to convert to tmobile
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on April 01, 2018, 08:55:29 PM
Quote from: eaglemaster on April 01, 2018, 08:25:51 PM
Quote from: glnz6 on April 01, 2018, 01:05:43 PM
 
Thanks to SteveInWA for his excellent porting "philosophy" above at http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=1051.msg86959#msg86959 (http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=1051.msg86959#msg86959).

I add to that as follows:  After you order the first port from a copper land line to your cheap prepaid mobile phone (or SIM card), wait at least for that copper land line to go dead before you try to start your second port to Google Voice.  I would actually wait a few more days as well for the new network information to propagate out to the world before you start your second port to Google Voice.

Also, I used a Verizon Wireless prepaid flip phone for my interim destination - a Samsung Gusto.  The phone itself is about $50, and it costs about $30 for a month's use.  Since I was porting out Verizon copper land line numbers, I wanted to stay "in the family" in case something went wrong.  Also, I found that Verizon Wireless's "porting department" at 888-844-7095 was pretty good in helping me get over a snag for the first port.  (I did not need them for the second port to Google Voice, and I'm not sure they could have helped for the port OUT anyway.)

Also, thanks to lots of advice on this and other forums by SteveInWA and friends, when I bought the Verizon Wireless prepaid flip phone Samsung Gusto, I had the fellow in the Verizon Wireless store write down ALL the info I would need on the Google Voice porting web page - the Verizon Wireless prepaid flip phone's account number, account name (which I had designated anyway), account address (which he picked the first time and I picked the second time), PIN (which I had designated) and the email address for the account (which I had designated).  Having that written down on the receipt printed page for the Verizon Wireless prepaid flip phone Samsung Gusto was very helpful when I was finally at the Google Voice porting web page.
 

thanks for the info i am also in route to make this happen since u suggested "Verizon Prepaid - Samsung Gusto 3 " i found on bestbuy website for $9.99 + taxes but couldnt see any cheap prepaid planes all i could see was unlimited or my other option is getting tmobile simcard from ebay  for $5 shipped to my home and i can use some old unlocked phone to me it seems like verizon was easy on you when it came to porting, also my current home voip is Vonage so not even sure if porting number will be easy but i did do the tmobile number port test and my number was eligible to convert to tmobile

I already explained the process in full detail, in my post above.  READ and follow the instructions.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on April 03, 2018, 01:08:55 PM
Sorry for appearing stupid on this porting thing but I need some help and understanding.

I have recently set up my copper home phone (with DSL) wiring to enable me to use the Obi device on the dedicated line 2 while line 1 is voice (2 pair of wires). I don't have the Obi device yet.

I am now at a point where I need to get a temporary mobile number from which I can enable "porting" of my existing home phone number to be used by GV. I need to purchase a mobile phone only for the purpose of setting up GV and then porting my existing home phone number through the mobile to GV.

What I don't understand is, since GV is not a telephone company, will I have to keep my prepaid phone on active service to enable GV to ring my ported home phone number through the Obi device?

Quote from a post here:

"Google Voice is not a "free telephone company".  It is a call forwarding and message management system.  You still need some sort of telephone service, so that calls to your Google Voice virtual number can be forwarded to a real telephone"
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: drgeoff on April 03, 2018, 02:11:38 PM
Quote from: Pedro675 on April 03, 2018, 01:08:55 PMwill I have to keep my prepaid phone on active service to enable GV to ring my ported home phone number through the Obi device?
No, the prepaid phone service will be ceased.  The SIM will be dead.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on April 03, 2018, 04:08:22 PM
Thanks.

So is it possible to run both GV (pre port forwarding) and my telcom service at the same time to test GV?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on April 03, 2018, 05:35:39 PM
Again, please carefully read my post:  http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=1051.msg86959#msg86959 (http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=1051.msg86959#msg86959)

Perhaps this will help your understanding:

All US telephone numbers are originally issued to Federally-regulated Local Exchange Carriers (LECs) in blocks of 10,000 (or sometimes 1000) numbers, by an industry organization in charge of the overall US telephone numbering plan (area codes and prefixes and their locations).  The Local Number Portability (LNP) FCC regulations require that, in most cases, telephone carriers allow their customers to take their business elsewhere, to a different carrier, and in so doing, give control of their telephone number(s) to the "gaining" or new carrier.  The original carrier always retains ownership of the number,  but lets the other, gaining carriers re-route calls to their switches. 

So:  when you port a phone number from, say, AT&T Wireless to Google Voice's carrier, the two carriers work with the national organization that controls telephone call routing, to tell all of the telephone switches that, when a call comes in for that number, to re-route it to Google Voice's carrier.  Once that routing change is made, the losing carrier (AT&T Wireless in this example) cancels service on that number at AT&T, since service is now being provided by Google Voice's carrier.

When you want to port in a number to Google Voice, and you submit a porting request, you are giving Google's carrier your permission to act as your agent, to contact the losing carrier, asking them to turn over control of that number to Google's carrier.  After that happens, service is shut off on the losing carrier and activated on Google's carrier.  The mobile phone on which you had the service will stop working as a telephone, unless you sign up for a new line of service with a mobile phone carrier (i.e. you get a new SIM and a new telephone number).

Google Voice requires that you first sign up for one of Google's free phone numbers.  You can do your testing with that number before deciding if you want to port in your mobile number.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: eaglemaster on April 03, 2018, 06:14:13 PM
shout out to SteveInWA you are a god sent angel you help everyone with the detailed explanation you provide, so i ended up using my unlocked phone and i had a T-Mobile sim card which i have been in process of porting my vonage number to tmobile started the process yesterday here is my time line i followed this instructions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y6bYwC2VDit9eAnlcLF2ZSZETsDJ3wQumZ4rmaqF_Go/edit#

Your Vonage Phone number
Your Vonage Account ID
Your Vonage pin number
Your Vonage User Name

i gave all the 4 information to tmobile porting department on 04/02/2018 on the 04/03/2018 around 12pm i got a call on my vonage number from tmobile telling me porting had an error and vonage asked for address which they didnt have so i ended up giving them (i hate prepaid customer service of tmobile they based from Philippines and understanding them is a huge problem so i gave the address and guess what few hours later i got a call again stating the same problem they told me they only had the street name on my address lol so i gave them again the address hoping this time all goes well and they did mention it will take atleast 5 days for complete port since its coming from landline

so on the side note if anyone try to port vonage to tmobile make sure you also include your address of where the service is used   
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on April 03, 2018, 06:21:03 PM
Speaking of Vonage:

Vonage uses the same carrier as Google Voice:  bandwidth.com.  When a number is ported out of Vonage, the porting process notifies them that the number has been ported away, and they're supposed to then delete the number out of their inventory and cancel their customer's service.  However, we have seen many cases where, perhaps due to both services using bandwidth.com, Vonage either doesn't get the notice, or, more likely, their side of the process is broken.  The result is a mess, where bandwidth has incorrect call routing information for that number.  The symptom is that the customer's account is still active, being billed, and outbound calls on the Vonage adapter still work.

To minimize the chance of this happening, wait a full week after porting from Vonage to T-Mobile.  Do not try to immediately churn your port over to Google Voice.  Confirm that both inbound and outbound calls and text messages work on your T-Mobile phone.  After this is proven to be true, then contact Vonage and have them confirm that they have canceled service on their side.  Do NOT try to port the number into GV until you've done this.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: eaglemaster on April 03, 2018, 06:31:53 PM
SteveInWA,
thank you so much for mentioning this i will keep that in mind and make sure that everything works on tmobile and will call vonage to cancel the service after making sure i can make and receive calls and texts from my tmobile number
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on April 05, 2018, 07:20:22 AM
Thanks for all the explanations. Here's what I understand:

There are potentially three phone numbers involved. 1. My existing home phone number 2. The number I have on a prepaid (one use) cell phone for porting, and 3. The initial number GV assigns me.

I start with the assigned GV number to set up GV service. I then log into GV and request to port a number, give them my home phone number and they send a confirmation call to my prepaid cell phone.

Is that the way it works?

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on April 05, 2018, 09:10:09 AM
Quote from: Pedro675 on April 05, 2018, 07:20:22 AM
Thanks for all the explanations. Here's what I understand:

There are potentially three phone numbers involved. 1. My existing home phone number 2. The number I have on a prepaid (one use) cell phone for porting, and 3. The initial number GV assigns me.

I start with the assigned GV number to set up GV service. I then log into GV and request to port a number, give them my home phone number and they send a confirmation call to my prepaid cell phone.

Is that the way it works?



No.

Go read my detailed instructions, posted earlier in this thread.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on April 05, 2018, 10:00:00 AM
Quote from: SteveInWA on April 05, 2018, 09:10:09 AM

No. Go read my detailed instructions, posted earlier in this thread.

OK, I have read those instructions several times. I did go back and re-read the Obi Tutorial which seems to make more sense to me.

1. I set up GV with the assigned number they provide. I can use the service with that number for a test period.
2. I buy a prepaid cell phone.
3. I contact T-Mobil and ask that my home land line number be assigned to the cell phone via a new sim. I have checked and my number can be transferred.
4. Once that is done I then go into GV and port that new mobil number (my home phone number) to GV.

Is that finally correct?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on April 05, 2018, 10:08:19 AM
Yes.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on April 06, 2018, 11:48:34 AM
Found out T-Mobil does not serve my little circle of service. AT&T appears to. Looking now for unlocked phone to purchase that will accept AT&T 3G sim. AT&T does not accept 2G anymore. Amazon, Newegg have unlocked phones but I need to be careful on the type of Sim they will work with. Anyone have some input for me?

Thanks
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on April 06, 2018, 12:53:42 PM
You've pointed out an important limitation with AT&T Wireless (and any of their resellers like Straight Talk, Net10, Tracfone, etc.):  many of the really cheap "flip phones" or "candy bar phones" floating around eBay and Craigslist are paperweights because they're only 2G GSM.

If you could find a friend or relative with a working AT&T phone, (for example, an old one in a drawer from an upgrade), all you need to do is to borrow it long enough to swap in your SIM, port your desired number to AT&T Wireless, wait at least 5 business days, then port it again, into Google Voice.  Do not rush this, as it just causes messes in the national number porting system.

The cheapest brand new AT&T Prepaid phone I saw on a quick search was either this one:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/at-t-prepaid-zte-maven-3-4g-with-8gb-memory-prepaid-cell-phone-black/6008100.p?skuId=6008100 (https://www.bestbuy.com/site/at-t-prepaid-zte-maven-3-4g-with-8gb-memory-prepaid-cell-phone-black/6008100.p?skuId=6008100)

Or one from AT&T directly (sort the list from lowest price to highest price):

https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/prepaidphones.html (https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/prepaidphones.html)

If you know someone with a smartphone (from either AT&T or T-Mobile, not from Verizon or Sprint) that has been carrier-unlocked, it might also work if it supports one of the wireless bands that AT&T uses.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on April 06, 2018, 01:04:13 PM
Yes, I've seen the one you linked at BestBuy, thanks for link. I am also looking at two phones that will accept At&T SIMs.

1. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B072N6BD9V/?coliid=I3CU4XKR7YHJ8M&colid=1K6CO00EX63XG&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

2. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0V4-002F-001J2

Both are 3G and will accept At&T SIMS. I'm going to the local AT&T store tomorrow and see about SIM cards and plans or any phones they might have for cheap. The BestBuy one already has the AT&T SIM.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on April 06, 2018, 01:14:01 PM
Quote from: Pedro675 on April 06, 2018, 01:04:13 PM
Yes, I've seen the one you linked at BestBuy, thanks for link. I am also looking at two phones that will accept At&T SIMs.

1. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B072N6BD9V/?coliid=I3CU4XKR7YHJ8M&colid=1K6CO00EX63XG&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

2. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0V4-002F-001J2

Both are 3G and will accept At&T SIMS. I'm going to the local AT&T store tomorrow and see about SIM cards and plans or any phones they might have for cheap. The BestBuy one already has the AT&T SIM.

I think that the cheapest phones from AT&T Prepaid's own web store are a safer bet, and they are cheaper, too.  Blu makes some really, really awful phones, and they are generally years behind in their hardware and software.  Many of the phones Blu sells are still GSM 2G only, so be careful.

It's too bad that AT&T is the only wireless network that works near you.

Consider just forgetting about Google Voice.  Port your number directyly into a SIP VoIP Internet Telephone Service Provider (ITSP), and use that service instead of Google Voice.  It's not that expensive, and many ITSPs will port in for free.  Any SIP ITSP that provides unlocked SIP user credentials should work fine on your OBi.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on April 06, 2018, 01:31:00 PM
If I can get AT&T to work at the house I should have no problem with porting my number to GV should I?

I talked to a guy at the gym who has had Ooma for some years and is happy with them. I'm not sure of the monthly fee though, will check.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on April 06, 2018, 01:41:01 PM
Quote from: Pedro675 on April 06, 2018, 01:31:00 PM
If I can get AT&T to work at the house I should have no problem with porting my number to GV should I?

Maybe.  Google Voice's carrier cannot port in from certain rate centers (local telephone exchanges).  You can check if your number is portable or not.

Sign into your Gmail account.  Then go here:  https://www.google.com/voice/porting (https://www.google.com/voice/porting) and submit the phone number you wish to port.

The tool should reply that your number can't be ported because it doesn't support your carrier (this is expected, since Google Voice doesn't port in land line numbers).  If it also tells you that your area isn't supported, then you can't port in the number, no matter what carrier it's on now.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on April 07, 2018, 05:21:32 AM
Yes, I did check earlier and just now and got:

"Ooops! We currently don't support porting from your carrier. We apologize and are working on adding support for more carriers."

So it looks like GV will port my number when it is from a mobile carrier.

My neighbor uses Verizon, is that an alternative? However Verizon is not GSM, only CDMA, not sure if GV cares. I can get a Verizon SIM card for about $10.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: GPz1100 on April 07, 2018, 03:33:04 PM
If GV is only rejecting the carrier and not the number then it doesn't matter which mobile/prepaid carrier you use as an intermediary.  Cheapest is generally tmobile or att prepaid pay as you go.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on April 07, 2018, 06:03:58 PM
Quote from: Pedro675 on April 07, 2018, 05:21:32 AM
Yes, I did check earlier and just now and got:

"Ooops! We currently don't support porting from your carrier. We apologize and are working on adding support for more carriers."

So it looks like GV will port my number when it is from a mobile carrier.

My neighbor uses Verizon, is that an alternative? However Verizon is not GSM, only CDMA, not sure if GV cares. I can get a Verizon SIM card for about $10.


Yes, you can use any of the four carriers.  I generally advise against using any third-party (MVNO) providers, since they aren't as skilled at dealing with ports out.  H20 and Consumer Cellular are the worst.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: eaglemaster on April 09, 2018, 03:23:58 PM
Not trying to hijack the forum, but today i finally got a text message from tmobile and my homeline is officially a cellphone number but weird thing is vonage still work and i can use to vonage to make calls but i am receiving calls on my Tmobile phone and i am also able to text on my tmobile phone i ported my vonage number to tmobile on april 2 and today finally it moved in but still seeing vonage works for making outbound calls lol

steve please advice should i wait another 5 days before calling vonage to cancel the service or i should wait 24 hours from now and see whats going on?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on April 09, 2018, 03:35:11 PM
Quote from: eaglemaster on April 09, 2018, 03:23:58 PM
steve please advice should i wait another 5 days before calling vonage to cancel the service?

Yes, wait.  Make absolutely sure that both inbound and outbound calling works now on your T-Mobile phone, using your ported-in Vonage number.  Make sure that the Vonage device does not ring on inbound calls.

Give it a few days in that working condition.  Then contact Vonage if you can still make outbound calls on their device, and tell them that you ported out the number, and to cancel your service with them.

Background:  this seems to happen all the time with Vonage.  AFAIK, it is a chronically-broken process on their side, whereby they are not receiving, or not processing, the notification from the porting system that the number has been ported away, so it stays in their inventory in error.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: eaglemaster on April 09, 2018, 04:01:24 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on April 09, 2018, 03:35:11 PM
Quote from: eaglemaster on April 09, 2018, 03:23:58 PM
steve please advice should i wait another 5 days before calling vonage to cancel the service?

Yes, wait.  Make absolutely sure that both inbound and outbound calling works now on your T-Mobile phone, using your ported-in Vonage number.  Make sure that the Vonage device does not ring on inbound calls.

Give it a few days in that working condition.  Then contact Vonage if you can still make outbound calls on their device, and tell them that you ported out the number, and to cancel your service with them.

Background:  this seems to happen all the time with Vonage.  AFAIK, it is a chronically-broken process on their side, whereby they are not receiving, or not processing, the notification from the porting system that the number has been ported away, so it stays in their inventory in error.

Thank you i will wait as of right now inbound and outbound calls are going through on my tmobile phone and vonage does not ring if anyone calls only the tmobile phone does but if i pick the vonage phone i hear dialing tone and i am able to call.  thanks again man
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on April 10, 2018, 05:29:57 AM
Eaglemaster, thanks for adding to the conversation - no hijack, just good information.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Lavarock7 on April 10, 2018, 10:42:48 AM
When I canceled one VOIP provider, I found their service was still working months later. I made a call that had a cost involved and never saw a bill. I would not be surprised if that account was still working years later.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: eaglemaster on April 10, 2018, 04:17:49 PM
so today as of 04/10/2018 vonage has no more dialing tone nor can i make calls from it when logged in into vonaga account under Account Status it says its : Disconnected  Next Automatic Payment 04/26/2018
Current Estimated Charges $0.00
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on April 10, 2018, 04:19:16 PM
Quote from: eaglemaster on April 10, 2018, 04:17:49 PM
so today as of 04/10/2018 vonage has no more dialing tone nor can i make calls from it when logged in into vonaga account under Account Status it says its : Disconnected  Next Automatic Payment 04/26/2018
Current Estimated Charges $0.00

Congratulations.  You're done.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: eaglemaster on April 10, 2018, 05:16:49 PM
Thank you i am waiting on obi device to arrive supposed to be here tomorrow you think i should wait for porting it to google voice till Friday?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on April 10, 2018, 06:16:25 PM
If, and only if, the T-Mobile phone now works with both inbound and outbound calling AND sending and receiving SMS, then yes, you can submit your port request now.  It is unrelated to OBi use.

Note:  starting a number port into Google Voice on a Friday will likely not result in the port finishing over the weekend.  While most of the process is automated, if your request requires manual intervention of some kind, that only happens on weekdays.  Also, sometimes the porting system goes down on weekends for maintenance.  Although mobile#<--->mobile# ports can be completed in minutes, ports into Google Voice typically take a minimum of 24 hours, because you are porting into a land line carrier, not a mobile carrier.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: eaglemaster on April 12, 2018, 05:11:01 PM
quick update:
i am finally done ported tmobile number to google voice yesterday and exactly after 24 hours my number moved to google voice is there anything i should do after this or i am set and use google voice for free as my landline?
should i consider callcentric's free DID for free CNAM and E911 ($1.50/month)? as based on other thread this was mentioned " there is a current issue with google voice and inbound calls.  Sometimes (most times) answering the call produces dead air. "

Total cost:
$35 for the device ( got on sale from newegg.com)
$10 for pay as you go minute for the tmobile unlocked phone (i already had an unlocked gsm phone and tmobile simcard in my drawer)

$20 porting number from tmobile to google voice

Total expense: $65
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on April 12, 2018, 05:48:09 PM
Well, Google Voice is not simply a free phone company (if they were, you'd have to pay Federal taxes and USF fees, by law).  It's a call forwarding service.  Inbound calls to a Google Voice number forward somewhere; either to up to six different 10-digit US phone numbers, or to an OBi.  So, you can, for example, link your mobile phone number, and it will ring on inbound calls as well as your OBi.

I assume you do realize that you need to now set up Google Voice on your OBi, right?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: eaglemaster on April 12, 2018, 06:02:14 PM
yes already did setup the google voice on my obi and been able to make and receive calls with the number that got ported from tmobile
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on April 16, 2018, 01:17:51 PM
Received my OBi200 today and have confirmed my borrowed cell phone can use an AT&T sim.

I will set up the OBi and get a temporary (for me) GV number to test the service for a while before I port my home phone number to GV. What I don't understand is how any phone (landline & cell) can call the GV number without being connected to the internet? How does it get routed?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: drgeoff on April 16, 2018, 01:41:16 PM
Quote from: Pedro675 on April 16, 2018, 01:17:51 PMWhat I don't understand is how any phone (landline & cell) can call the GV number without being connected to the internet? How does it get routed?
But you can understand how a landline can call a cellphone or a cellphone can call a landline despite being different technologies?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on April 16, 2018, 01:48:44 PM
Well no I don't understand (technically), but you're right, it does just work. So I guess once I set up GV through OBi any phone can just call me and visa versa.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on April 16, 2018, 02:06:20 PM
To (over)simplify:  The worldwide Public Switched Telephone Network, or PSTN, consists of millions of telephone "exchanges", or geographic location "central offices", with phone switches owned by telephone carriers, and all interconnected over dedicated networks.  Think of the phone switches as call routers.  When one phone number calls another, the switches use routing tables to create a connection between the two endpoints.  Traditionally, this was called "circuit switched" telephony, because originally, a physical "circuit" or set of wires, was used to make these connections (now, this is all done digitally, and routed over many different paths via fiber optic, copper wire, satellite and/or microwave).  The call connects from one phone, to the local CO, where it is digitized for transit over the network.

Voice over IP (VoIP) calls are "packet switched", meaning:  they are digitized right in the device on your premises, such as your OBi box, and then sent over the internet in little chunks (packets), in the same way as all of your other internet communications (email, web browsing, video streaming, etc.).

VoIP calls travel either over the public internet or over a private IP network, eventually reaching the "termination point", where the Internet Telephone Service Provider, or ITSP, then connects them to a telephone switch, as above, where they then become traditional phone calls on the telephone network.  The telephone carrier then uses the same phone switches to route the call to your called telephone number.

So:  it doesn't matter how the call travels from one end to the other, it's eventually connecting to the PSTN.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on April 16, 2018, 03:53:12 PM
Thanks for the great reply.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on April 16, 2018, 04:29:27 PM
i guess I have a follow up question. If our home phone is normally a long distance call for someone calling me, when they call after I'm on GV is that call still long distance charges for them?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: drgeoff on April 16, 2018, 04:34:00 PM
Quote from: Pedro675 on April 16, 2018, 04:29:27 PM
i guess I have a follow up question. If our home phone is normally a long distance call for someone calling me, when they call after I'm on GV is that call still long distance charges for them?
Your GV number is just like any other US number.  How much your caller is charged depends solely on their provider's rate from their area code to your area code.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on May 16, 2018, 02:39:38 AM
Thought I'd update my GV/Obi installation and extend thanks for the help. I'm looking to save $55 per month on my home phone bill.

I finally set up the Obi200 with GV voice. Works great, just like a regular phone. Right now we have two phone numbers, the GV and the original number with the telcom. One phone is still receiving calls on the old number. I arranged the old number phone on a separate circuit so there is no power to the Obi device. Once the number porting is complete I'll disconnect at the NID and run a splitter from the OBi device phone port - one wire to the portable phone and one wire to the house wiring. That will give me all phones on GV.

I now have to port my home phone number to GV. I borrowed a friend's old cell phone and will get a 30 day plan with AT&T to test reception at the house, then have them port my home phone number to the cell phone. After that port that home number from AT&T to GV.

Is it advisable to wait some time after porting my home number to AT&T before porting it to GV. Like once it's ported and working on the cell phone can I immediately port to GV?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on May 16, 2018, 08:52:57 AM
I have just activated my mobile phone with AT&T. Unfortunately, as I feared, the reception at my house is terrible. Virtually none in the house but some outside - go figure on a 4g phone. This area has always been a dead spot, but I thought with 4g it would be better.

I have paid for a 30 day plan and will need to port my home phone to this cell phone then port it to GV. I can go to a friend's house where hopefully the signal is better. What I want to know is how long I have to wait for a return phone call on this cell from GV to complete the port.

Can someone chime in here to help. If it's only a few minutes then I can do it at my friends.

Thanks 
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on May 16, 2018, 10:31:52 AM
Porting land lines takes longer and has more steps than porting from one mobile carrier to another mobile carrier.

It's best to wait several days, preferably a week, after porting a land line number to a mobile carrier, before subsequently porting to Google Voice.  Make sure that both inbound and outbound calling and text messaging work on the mobile phone, before starting the port to Google Voice.  In theory, you should only need to wait until these things start working, but many of the porting problems we see on the Google Voice forum are caused by "churning" ports too rapidly, before the new routing information propagates out to all the carriers.

Instructions:  https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667#xferin (https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667#xferin)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on June 01, 2018, 09:54:24 AM
OK I have at last ported my home number from my mobile phone to GV.

Process was trickier than expected. As I posted before I borrowed a friend's unlocked backup cell phone and set up a 1 month plan with AT&T. I chose AT&T because they are the only carrier with an office located close just up the street where I could get SIM cards and account setup.

At my house though I could not get reliable AT&T signal, from low to nil (mostly nil). Fortunately there is a Starbucks next door to the AT&T office with great cell reception. I used Starbucks wifi and went about doing the port. However it took me three tries to get the two digit confirmation code sent to GV. As well, the next screen asked for my AT&T account number, which was nowhere to be found on any paperwork I had or on my web account page. I had to scoot next door to the AT&T office to get them to find my account number while a Starbucks customer guarded my computer and cell phone. Once that was done everything went smoothly. Today I got the notice that the port was successful and a phone test confirmed.

Looking forward to saving $55 per month.

Great thanks to everyone who helped me through the process!!

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: suidbillyms on June 21, 2018, 11:07:14 PM
Getting ready to buy "T-Mobile Prepaid Complete SIM Starter Kit". Does it make a difference if bought from Amazon or T-Mobile directly? I read in the Amazon comments for the item that if bought from Amazon you have to add a minimum of $10 when activating but only $3 when purchased from T-Mobile. Is this accurate? Thanks.

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: colby352 on July 02, 2018, 02:21:27 PM
I will try my best to keep this short and sweet! My mom lives next door. She is on fixed income and tired of bills increasing in price. So I wirelessly bridged my house with hers using 2 ubiquiti nanostation m5. She has her own ASUS router in Access Point mode. So far it's all working out great with speeds from 60-70 mbps! But she wants to keep her landline spectrum number.

I ported her Spectrum line to T-Mobile Prepaid $3/month. The line has been ported and active for couple days now BUT Google Voice still says, "Ooops! This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support."


From my understanding it's not possible so whatever it is what it is. I thought about getting a MagicJack or a Ooma Telo but the reviews seem AWFUL! Since we already have the OBi200 I have been thinking about porting her number to callcentric and have them be the VOIP provider and its only like $6/month unlimited.

Has anyone gone this route and have any feedback they'd like to provide? I just want to make sure that callcentric  is decent and won't be awful call quality or wont crap out. Hope the port doesn't take long.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on July 02, 2018, 02:24:42 PM
Callcentric is just fine, but they may not be able to port the number, either; you'll just have to try it and find out.

Of course, you can simply get her a new phone number.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: sostpm on July 14, 2018, 08:52:00 AM
Good question.. I thought what you did with T-mobile was correct. I got my GV phone port to work because my cell phone actually answers on inbound calls but.. I got the "OOPS message from GV indicating that the port did NOT work. So I'm not sure it will work for you. I got the very same messages you did. What I wanted was to ring my home portable phones as well on inbound calls. They do NOT ring but my cell phone does get inbound calls and it rings.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dlarson54 on July 23, 2018, 04:29:10 PM
I learned that my xxx-xxx number could not be ported to GV after porting to T-Moblie. I used parkmyphone.com and my number ported there and that service forwards my calls to my GV number. It is the best work around I have found yet. I hope I find something to eliminate the middle man someday but for now this works good for a small fee.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jd123 on August 05, 2018, 04:56:06 PM
Hello guys I have a few questions.

I am trying to follow the guide at https://www.obitalk.com/info/tutorials/porttutorial but the links for the T-mobile pre-paid sim cards are not working for me. Will this one work? https://www.amazon.com/T-Mobile-Prepaid-Complete-SIM-Kit/dp/B00LPPHHFK

Once I get the sim card and call T-mobile to activate it, do I have to pick between a plan like PayGo, or can I just add x amount of minutes into the card?
Thank you
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on August 05, 2018, 05:58:11 PM
Quote from: jd123 on August 05, 2018, 04:56:06 PM
Hello guys I have a few questions.

I am trying to follow the guide at https://www.obitalk.com/info/tutorials/porttutorial but the links for the T-mobile pre-paid sim cards are not working for me. Will this one work? https://www.amazon.com/T-Mobile-Prepaid-Complete-SIM-Kit/dp/B00LPPHHFK

Once I get the sim card and call T-mobile to activate it, do I have to pick between a plan like PayGo, or can I just add x amount of minutes into the card?
Thank you

Yes, that linked SIM pack on Amazon is perfect IF you have either an existing T-Mobile phone, or an unlocked AT&T Wireless or other GSM phone designed for the US market.  If you only have a locked AT&T Wireless phone, then buy a prepaid SIM kit for AT&T Prepaid and follow the same procedure.  Do NOT buy a SIM from one of the third-party re-sellers like H20, Lycamobile, Straight Talk, etc.  Those companies have little to no expertise at porting land line numbers in and out.

Before you begin, enter your land line phone number into the Google Voice porting dashboard, to see if it is eligible.  If it only gives you an error about the number being on a land line carrier, then you're good to go.  If it also gives you an error that porting is not supported in your area, then you can't port it in, and don't bother trying.

https://www.google.com/voice/porting (https://www.google.com/voice/porting)

Here is what you'll be doing:  the point of this exercise is to establish working mobile phone service and port your land line number to that service on a working mobile phone handset.  You will buy the SIM, stick it in the phone, then contact T-Mobile to port in your land line number.  You must buy the minimum number of prepaid minutes they sell (typically $10), so that you can make and receive telephone calls on that phone.

Wait a full week after porting the land line number into the mobile carrier, before attempting to then port it to Google Voice.  Before attempting to port to GV, you must contact T-Mobile and ask them for the account number and PIN you need to submit so that they will approve your port-out request.  Don't get impatient and try to port to Google Voice without waiting.

If you encounter any problems while doing the port from the mobile carrier to Google Voice, please post over on the Google Voice help forum.  Do not cancel the port unless instructed to do so over on that forum.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: jd123 on August 05, 2018, 10:24:39 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on August 05, 2018, 05:58:11 PM
Quote from: jd123 on August 05, 2018, 04:56:06 PM
Hello guys I have a few questions.

I am trying to follow the guide at https://www.obitalk.com/info/tutorials/porttutorial but the links for the T-mobile pre-paid sim cards are not working for me. Will this one work? https://www.amazon.com/T-Mobile-Prepaid-Complete-SIM-Kit/dp/B00LPPHHFK

Once I get the sim card and call T-mobile to activate it, do I have to pick between a plan like PayGo, or can I just add x amount of minutes into the card?
Thank you

Yes, that linked SIM pack on Amazon is perfect IF you have either an existing T-Mobile phone, or an unlocked AT&T Wireless or other GSM phone designed for the US market.  If you only have a locked AT&T Wireless phone, then buy a prepaid SIM kit for AT&T Prepaid and follow the same procedure.  Do NOT buy a SIM from one of the third-party re-sellers like H20, Lycamobile, Straight Talk, etc.  Those companies have little to no expertise at porting land line numbers in and out.

Before you begin, enter your land line phone number into the Google Voice porting dashboard, to see if it is eligible.  If it only gives you an error about the number being on a land line carrier, then you're good to go.  If it also gives you an error that porting is not supported in your area, then you can't port it in, and don't bother trying.

https://www.google.com/voice/porting (https://www.google.com/voice/porting)

Here is what you'll be doing:  the point of this exercise is to establish working mobile phone service and port your land line number to that service on a working mobile phone handset.  You will buy the SIM, stick it in the phone, then contact T-Mobile to port in your land line number.  You must buy the minimum number of prepaid minutes they sell (typically $10), so that you can make and receive telephone calls on that phone.

Wait a full week after porting the land line number into the mobile carrier, before attempting to then port it to Google Voice.  Before attempting to port to GV, you must contact T-Mobile and ask them for the account number and PIN you need to submit so that they will approve your port-out request.  Don't get impatient and try to port to Google Voice without waiting.

If you encounter any problems while doing the port from the mobile carrier to Google Voice, please post over on the Google Voice help forum.  Do not cancel the port unless instructed to do so over on that forum.
Thank you for the quick and informative reply.
Yes, I did check if google voice supports my area with that site and it does.  :D

I was going to use the SIM for a spare Verizon iPhone 5 that I had lying around thinking it was unlocked. I put in the IMEI on https://prepaid.t-mobile.com/prepaid/bring-your-own-device however and it says it is not compatible with T-mobile's network although it does say "Success! You can use your device on our network" below the textarea with a green checkmark. Confusing. I'm going to assume it is locked.

I do have my iPhone 6s that I currently use that is compatible according to that site. Can I swap the SIM card for certain time periods or do I need it in the phone constantly during the whole procedure? I wouldn't mind popping it in whenever I need to talk to the carriers or check if phonecalls/texts work then take it out again. Otherwise I guess I should buy a prepaid T-mobile/ATT phone?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on August 05, 2018, 11:48:07 PM
Remember, you are simply moving a telephone number from one carrier to another.  The carrier associates the SIM ICCID with your number.  It doesn't matter at all what sort of phone you use with that SIM, as long as it's compatible enough to make a couple of ordinary phone calls. 

As for the older previously-Verizon phone, VZW and T-Mobile don't share LTE bands, and so the phones weren't built to support all of them.  The OEMs are getting better now at reducing the chaos and simply supporting most bands on every phone.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: GPz1100 on August 06, 2018, 07:45:45 AM
^^Not true.  It really depends on the phone and bands it supports.

Example, verizon galaxy s4 - sch-i545 fully supports 2g/3g on tmobile (edge/hspa data), LTE is also supported in areas where band 4 (1700/2100) is deployed.

For att, there's full 3g support, and again, band 4 LTE in areas where it's available.

So while this phone from 2013 won't have service in all areas served by these providers, it should have service in major cities.

All verizon LTE phones (other than prepaid) come unlocked for gsm use.  Newer models support more bands.  I believe the s8 or the s9 (verizon variant) fully supports all att/tmo bands.

In fact, as of right now, older verizon lte phones with HD voice capability cannot be activated on verizon itself, but can on MVNO's.  After 2019 when vzw shuts down 1x/3g entirely, these older phones will still be usable on att/tmo. 

Just like the obi100, even though the manufacturer/provider has abandoned support, the device is still usable to an extent.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: linksfiend on August 30, 2018, 02:12:47 PM
Is there a recommended cheap plan on T-Mobile? Do you need to setup an account if you have a prepaid sim?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on August 30, 2018, 02:23:57 PM
If T-Mobile is like AT&T you can buy a 30 day pay-as-you-go plan. You'll need a SIM card, about $5. If you have a T-Mobile store close then I would recommend going there. Just say you want to assess the service and reception, no reason to offer your end plan.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: art_vandelay on September 09, 2018, 04:07:58 PM
I purchased the T-Mobile 3 in 1 sim starter kit from amazon for $10.  I installed the sim in an unlocked iPhone 5.  I contacted T-Mobile's automated system to activate the card and requested a new number.  During the process of activation the call dropped but I did received three text messages from them, one of them contained my new cell number.  Don't know if everything completed like it should've.  Do I need to purchase something in addition to the starter sim kit?  Step 3 of the Obitalk number porting guide says to make and receive a call.  I get a message that I am unable to do so, so I assume I need to buy minutes or something??  I thought I saw a message I could buy a few minutes for $3 somewhere.

I also hope I didn't mess up by requesting a new number.  It is my understanding that I get a new (temp) number from T-Mobile and once I can make and receive a call I go to step 4 of the guide and call T-Mobile's activation department to request of port of my old number (the one I want to move to Google Voice).  The new T-Mobile number just goes away then, correct?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on September 09, 2018, 07:18:02 PM
You must put the SIM into a working phone, pay for calling credits, and be able to make and receive calls on that phone.  How you do that is between you and T-Mobile.  The SIM kit should have covered their instructions for porting.

Once you get your desired land line ported over to T-Mobile, make sure it can then make AND answer phone calls and it can send and receive text messages.  Wait a full week after that point, before then submitting a port request via Google Voice.

While you wait, make absolutely sure you obtain the correct account number and account PIN from T-Mobile, so that they will approve the port-out request.  Create an online account for your T-Mobile service.

"My T-Mobile Account" shows your account number. It is the number on the top right of the screen (9 Digits).  It also shows it under the Account Activity Log.

PIN - 4-digit PIN....To set a PIN, dial 611, say "no" to refill, choose "manage my account", choose "change my account pin", then set your 4-digit PIN

The rest of the procedure is here:  https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667#xferin (https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667#xferin)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: art_vandelay on September 10, 2018, 05:34:54 PM
Sorry for this but I am more confused than ever.  I bought the $10 sim kit, all I see are instructions on how to activate it not port.  I am assuming I need to buy minutes with the number T-Mobile assigned me.  I have tried so many things now and met blocks with all of them I don't know what to do.  I think since my call was disconnected while on the activation process it might be hung some where even though I received a text with my t-mobile number.  Can I go into a T-Mobile store and tell them what I want to do and they help?  Also, why do I need to setup a temp t-mobile number first then port my land line to them?  Cant I just go in the store and have them port my land line straight to a pay go account?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on September 10, 2018, 05:37:50 PM
Quote from: art_vandelay on September 10, 2018, 05:34:54 PM
Sorry for this but I am more confused than ever.  I bought the $10 sim kit, all I see are instructions on how to activate it not port.  I am assuming I need to buy minutes with the number T-Mobile assigned me.  I have tried so many things now and met blocks with all of them I don't know what to do.  I think since my call was disconnected while on the activation process it might be hung some where even though I received a text with my t-mobile number.  Can I go into a T-Mobile store and tell them what I want to do and they help?  Also, why do I need to setup a temp t-mobile number first then port my land line to them?  Cant I just go in the store and have them port my land line straight to a pay go account?

If you have that many questions, then, by all means, go to a retail T-Mobile store and they can explain it to you.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Pedro675 on September 10, 2018, 07:31:09 PM
Quote from: art_vandelay on September 10, 2018, 05:34:54 PM
Sorry for this but I am more confused than ever.  I bought the $10 sim kit, all I see are instructions on how to activate it not port.

When I did this with AT&T I activated the phone with the number AT&T gave me. I wanted to see if I could get service at my house so that I could get my home number eventually ported via GV.  Once the phone gets service you'll need T-Mobile to port your home number to the cell, replacing the T-Mobile assigned number. You can save this step by getting T-Mobile to just port your home number directly when getting a plan. But remember when you go to port your home number from T-Mobile to GV you'll need cell service with the phone and a computer. Make sure T-Mobile can provide service to your area.

QuoteI am assuming I need to buy minutes with the number T-Mobile assigned me.

Yes. I just got a 30 day pay as you go plan.

QuoteCan I go into a T-Mobile store and tell them what I want to do and they help?

I would not tell them you are just using them to port your home number to GV. Just tell them you want to set up service with them using your home number, they will do the port procedure. You'll need your home number carrier invoice and account number for T-Mobile to do this.

QuoteAlso, why do I need to setup a temp t-mobile number first then port my land line to them?  Cant I just go in the store and have them port my land line straight to a pay go account?

Yes, they can port your home number without getting a temp T-Mobile number. You'll be without a home land line number for about a week to 14 days. We already had cell phones with Tracfone and used them until our home number was ported to GV.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: mnjeepmale on September 11, 2018, 11:54:54 AM
I ported my number out of MagicJack last week to a T-Mobile SIM card. That process is complete.

Last Friday I logged into GV and started the process to replace the number in GV with my ported number in T-Mobile. I made the $20 payment and been waiting since.

I just went to https://www.google.com/voice/porting/status and it starts me over telling me the number can be ported. Should I start the process over again? If I do I have to get the T-Mobile phone and SIM card out again as they call you with an authorization code?  >:(
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on September 11, 2018, 04:08:01 PM
Quote from: mnjeepmale on September 11, 2018, 11:54:54 AM
I ported my number out of MagicJack last week to a T-Mobile SIM card. That process is complete.

Last Friday I logged into GV and started the process to replace the number in GV with my ported number in T-Mobile. I made the $20 payment and been waiting since.

I just went to https://www.google.com/voice/porting/status and it starts me over telling me the number can be ported. Should I start the process over again? If I do I have to get the T-Mobile phone and SIM card out again as they call you with an authorization code?  >:(

No, you do not need to start over with T-Mobile.  Look up your telephone number at this website:  https://freecarrierlookup.com/ (https://freecarrierlookup.com/)  If the carrier field says anything other than "Google/Bandwidth.com (SVR)" then the number did not finish porting out of magicJack and into T-Mobile.  Call the phone number from some other phone number.  It must ring on the T-Mobile phone.  If, and only if, those conditions are correct, then you have one of two problems: 

1) Your payment card has a problem.  Go to Google Payments, and make sure that the legal address for the card is the same as the street address, and that street address is in the USA. https://pay.google.com/payments/home#paymentMethods (https://pay.google.com/payments/home#paymentMethods)

2) There is a problem with the street address you submitted on the port request.  It must not start with a PO box number.  It must start with a numbered street address, like 123 Anywhere St.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: mnjeepmale on September 11, 2018, 05:48:46 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on September 11, 2018, 04:08:01 PM
Quote from: mnjeepmale on September 11, 2018, 11:54:54 AM
I ported my number out of MagicJack last week to a T-Mobile SIM card. That process is complete.

Last Friday I logged into GV and started the process to replace the number in GV with my ported number in T-Mobile. I made the $20 payment and been waiting since.

I just went to https://www.google.com/voice/porting/status and it starts me over telling me the number can be ported. Should I start the process over again? If I do I have to get the T-Mobile phone and SIM card out again as they call you with an authorization code?  >:(

No, you do not need to start over with T-Mobile.  Look up your telephone number at this website:  https://freecarrierlookup.com/ (https://freecarrierlookup.com/)  If the carrier field says anything other than "Google/Bandwidth.com (SVR)" then the number did not finish porting out of magicJack and into T-Mobile.  Call the phone number from some other phone number.  It must ring on the T-Mobile phone.  If, and only if, those conditions are correct, then you have one of two problems: 

1) Your payment card has a problem.  Go to Google Payments, and make sure that the legal address for the card is the same as the street address, and that street address is in the USA. https://pay.google.com/payments/home#paymentMethods (https://pay.google.com/payments/home#paymentMethods)

2) There is a problem with the street address you submitted on the port request.  It must not start with a PO box number.  It must start with a numbered street address, like 123 Anywhere St.



I went to that website and it shows -

Carrier: T-Mobile

Also my credit card billing address is my PO Box. That is the address I put into the billing address when I was going through the porting/billing address on GV port.
So what should I do then if my address is a PO Box?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on September 11, 2018, 05:49:47 PM
You must use a street address, not a PO box.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: art_vandelay on September 12, 2018, 05:52:56 PM
I went to the T-Mobile store for help with my confusion.  The person said in order to port a number from T-Mobile you need to have an account number and then said pay as go plans don't have account numbers.  So there is no way it will work with a pay as you go plan.  She said I could try contacting customer service and they might have other options.  Anyone ever hear of this?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on September 12, 2018, 08:11:22 PM
Quote from: art_vandelay on September 12, 2018, 05:52:56 PM
I went to the T-Mobile store for help with my confusion.  The person said in order to port a number from T-Mobile you need to have an account number and then said pay as go plans don't have account numbers.  So there is no way it will work with a pay as you go plan.  She said I could try contacting customer service and they might have other options.  Anyone ever hear of this?

Hi:  That's nonsense.  I assume that the store person simply doesn't have any experience with their prepaid line of business.

Here is exactly what you need, and how to get it:

Quote
T-Mobile Prepaid
*PayGo  "My T-Mobile Account" shows your account number. It is the number on the top right of the screen (9 Digits).  It also shows it under the Account Activity Log.
*Legacy Pay as you Go accounts = your 10-digit phone number with 1 in front is your account number

PIN - 4-digit PIN....To set a PIN, dial 611, say "no" to refill, choose "manage my account", choose "change my account pin", then set your 4-digit PIN
Customer Service: 1-505-998-3793
Prepaid Porting: 1-877-778-2106

The porting form that first appears, along with some T-Mobile-specific instructions, does not include a field to enter the PIN.
After submitting the form, you will get an automated email note within the half-hour, complaining about the missing PIN or SSN. 
Go back to the form, and at that point, it will display the fields. 
Enter the PIN and a dummy SSN, and resubmit.

Warning:  wait a full week from the time that the port into T-Mobile started working, before attempting a second port into Google Voice.  By "started working",  I mean:  inbound and outbound calls work, and sending and receiving text messages work.

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: mnjeepmale on September 13, 2018, 11:29:05 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on September 11, 2018, 05:49:47 PM
You must use a street address, not a PO box.

Thanks. That worked. I was able to put a actual address into the port and the number has been imported from T-Mobile pre-paid to GV. The number is on GV now.

Also to the previous poster, I did have pre-paid and had the account number. You do have an account number when on pre-paid.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: cezzium on December 10, 2018, 01:01:06 PM
Hello to all and I am going to apologize right up front for asking ridiculous questions. And thank anyone who reads and responds for their pity and kindness.

(TMI, I am doing all this to reduce expenses after the untimely death of my hub so my mind is apparently too crispy to put this all together in one coherent package.  I feel like I am on an episode of Nailed It ... vs my usual very technically capable self who manages DICOM, HL7 and XML plus other stuff very well)

So

I have two numbers I eventually would like to have on the obi and GV. 

one number is sprint mobile so porting that will be easier once I get past the emotional rent of it being the hubs business phone which people are still calling and I do not want to disturb that pipeline yet (or the sound of his voice on his VM).

the second is the centurylink landline ....

I purchased the obi device for two lines.  So far so good.

I purchased a very cheap blu android phone from GW which appears to be in fine working order

I have had major difficulties finding the mystical TMobile SIM card (Amazon or elsewhere) for less than 10 dollars and as described while I thought I had done so finally - I realize after ripping open the Amazon envelope I have a BYOD for Verizon. 

The majority of folks seem to like and describe the T mobile experience so I am hoping someone will point me to a cookbook for expectations with Verizon ... or point me to the t mobile unicorn card link and i will chalk up this $7 to making bad choices.

I know this is all farcical and insane but my mind has morphed to a big blob of goo

thanks again in advance for pointers or cookbooks n such.




Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on December 10, 2018, 01:12:23 PM
Quote from: cezzium on December 10, 2018, 01:01:06 PM
Hello to all and I am going to apologize right up front for asking ridiculous questions. And thank anyone who reads and responds for their pity and kindness.

(TMI, I am doing all this to reduce expenses after the untimely death of my hub so my mind is apparently too crispy to put this all together in one coherent package.  I feel like I am on an episode of Nailed It ... vs my usual very technically capable self who manages DICOM, HL7 and XML plus other stuff very well)

So

I have two numbers I eventually would like to have on the obi and GV. 

one number is sprint mobile so porting that will be easier once I get past the emotional rent of it being the hubs business phone which people are still calling and I do not want to disturb that pipeline yet (or the sound of his voice on his VM).

the second is the centurylink landline ....

I purchased the obi device for two lines.  So far so good.

I purchased a very cheap blu android phone from GW which appears to be in fine working order

I have had major difficulties finding the mystical TMobile SIM card (Amazon or elsewhere) for less than 10 dollars and as described while I thought I had done so finally - I realize after ripping open the Amazon envelope I have a BYOD for Verizon. 

The majority of folks seem to like and describe the T mobile experience so I am hoping someone will point me to a cookbook for expectations with Verizon ... or point me to the t mobile unicorn card link and i will chalk up this $7 to making bad choices.

I know this is all farcical and insane but my mind has morphed to a big blob of goo

thanks again in advance for pointers or cookbooks n such.


I'm sorry for your loss; I recall how my mind was on autopilot while I dealt with the passing of my father, and handling the many administrative and logistic tasks.

You're not describing anything new or unusual.  First, regarding the cost:

Think of it this way:  by churning a number port through T-Mobile, you are essentially ripping them off for their administrative overhead to process the ports, which does have a cost to the carrier.  So, $10 seems like a fair compensation to me.  You must have working telephone service on the number before it can be ported into another carrier.  In Google Voice's case, you also need to be able to answer a phone call or text message on that number in order to verify that you have control of the number.  This is  fraud protection measure, and it can't be bypassed.

Next:  consider how you will use these two numbers.  If you want each of the two numbers to have its own voicemail greeting, and to be able to keep call and text history separate, then you must port one number into one Google account, and port the other number into the other account.  You then configure, for example, Google account #1 on OBi SP1 and point it to the phone 1 jack, and then configure Google account #2 on SP2 and point it to the phone 2 jack.

If you don't care about keeping the inbound calls separate, you can port both numbers into one Google account, but you won't be able to have the calls ring two different physical phone ports.

Wait a full week after porting the land line to a mobile carrier, before subsequently porting it to Google Voice.  Rapid churning of ports makes a mess in the number porting system, so don't do it.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: cezzium on December 10, 2018, 01:30:12 PM
Thanks Steve,

I do want them separate.  One is the home phone which my hope is to eventually get rid of.

I should have mentioned I am very familiar with GV as a service.  I have had a GV number almost since GC became GV. I loved it because before I got a work cell phone I could give out that number and know it would ring everything when i was on call.

I'm not interested in ripping Tmobile or anyone off.  I was just not finding what was described over and over as the 5, 6 7 dollar card.  The only thing thus far is $25.  and if i must do it i must and it will work itself off after the second month.

what you describe with the obi device is exactly the plan. I believe they each need to be separate. 

Thanks for mentioning the wait as I saw many times people were doing this very quickly.

If the experience with Verizon can be as "easy peasy" as Tmobile I can certainly go with the card I ended up with.  I hate that I feel timid about this right now.

celia

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on December 10, 2018, 01:35:07 PM
Quote from: cezzium on December 10, 2018, 01:30:12 PM
Thanks Steve,

I do want them separate.  One is the home phone which my hope is to eventually get rid of.

I should have mentioned I am very familiar with GV as a service.  I have had a GV number almost since GC became GV. I loved it because before I got a work cell phone I could give out that number and know it would ring everything when i was on call.

I'm not interested in ripping Tmobile or anyone off.  I was just not finding what was described over and over as the 5, 6 7 dollar card.  The only thing thus far is $25.  and if i must do it i must and it will work itself off after the second month.

what you describe with the obi device is exactly the plan. I believe they each need to be separate.  

Thanks for mentioning the wait as I saw many times people were doing this very quickly.

If the experience with Verizon can be as "easy peasy" as Tmobile I can certainly go with the card I ended up with.  I hate that I feel timid about this right now.

celia



Here you go, the $10 T-Mobile SIM:  https://www.amazon.com/T-Mobile-Prepaid-Complete-SIM-Kit/dp/B00LPPHHFK

There is nothing magic about using T-Mobile.  AT&T Prepaid or Verizon Prepaid would also work.  Just don't use one of the mickey-mouse MVNO companies like H20 or Lycamobile.  They are utterly incompetent at porting; their only skill is selling SIMs.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: cezzium on December 10, 2018, 07:16:15 PM
thanks for your kindness.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: BrettOlbrys on January 08, 2019, 06:14:19 AM
Steve,

I keep reading you saying wait a week before porting to GV, what happens if you don't?  If the landline port was successful to the new T-mobile phone and that phone is now able to send and receive calls and texts, what does waiting a week actually do?

Thanks
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on January 08, 2019, 01:24:17 PM
Quote from: BrettOlbrys on January 08, 2019, 06:14:19 AM
Steve,

I keep reading you saying wait a week before porting to GV, what happens if you don't?  If the landline port was successful to the new T-mobile phone and that phone is now able to send and receive calls and texts, what does waiting a week actually do?

Thanks

Porting out of a land line to a mobile carrier is more complex than a mobile<-->mobile port, as is porting the mobile number to a land line carrier (Google Voice numbers are classified as land lines).  It can take several days for inbound call routing to be updated, and it can often take even longer for SMS message routing to be updated.  Rushing it before things settle down causes problems in the second port.  If you can now do bi-directional texting and calling, then give it at least another day before submitting the port to Google Voice.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick880 on January 16, 2019, 10:26:50 AM
I am in the middle of porting a landline # to GV via T-Mobile. As I understand for the T-Mobile prepaid account the account # is the 10-digit phone # (NNN-NNN-NNNN) from T-Mobile's support document. But the OBiTALK GV porting guide mentions the account # with "1" prepended to the phone # (1-NNN-NNN-NNNN). What # should I provide to GV? NNN-NNN-NNNN, 1-NNN-NNN-NNNN, NNNNNNNNNN or 1NNNNNNNNNN? Just want to be careful after the painful experience when porting the landline # to T-Mobile, which was finally completed yesterday. That leg of porting took 10 business days (requested on Jan. 2) and several phone calls to find status and deal with wrong information sent to my landline phone provider.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on January 16, 2019, 02:39:51 PM
Here is the information that we have compiled over on the Google Voice forum, with regard to T-Mobile prepaid.  This is unofficial, and since carriers change things periodically, I can't guarantee that it is accurate, but it's highly likely to work:

T-Mobile Prepaid
*PayGo  "My T-Mobile Account" shows your account number. It is the number on the top right of the screen (9 Digits).  It also shows it under the Account Activity Log.
*Legacy Pay as you Go accounts = your 10-digit phone number with 1 in front is your account number

PIN - 4-digit PIN....To set a PIN, dial 611, say "no" to refill, choose "manage my account", choose "change my account pin", then set your 4-digit PIN
Customer Service: 1-505-998-3793
Prepaid Porting: 1-877-778-2106

The porting form that first appears, along with some T-Mobile-specific instructions, does not include a field to enter the PIN.
After submitting the form, you will get an automated email note within the half-hour, complaining about the missing PIN or SSN. 
Go back to the form, and at that point, it will display the fields. 
Enter the PIN and a dummy SSN, and resubmit.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Rick880 on January 19, 2019, 05:46:07 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on January 16, 2019, 02:39:51 PM
The porting form that first appears, along with some T-Mobile-specific instructions, does not include a field to enter the PIN.
After submitting the form, you will get an automated email note within the half-hour, complaining about the missing PIN or SSN. 
Go back to the form, and at that point, it will display the fields. 
Enter the PIN and a dummy SSN, and resubmit.
Steve, thanks for the detailed information. I initiated the T-Mobile to GV porting yesterday morning and the whole process completed this morning (24 hours and 20 minutes). I used the 11-digit phone # as the T-Mobile account #. One interesting thing was the GV porting form presented me the field to enter the PIN along with other fields the very first time when I opened the form so I didn't have the email notification complaining missing PIN. By the way, my PIN is a 6-digit number. I was asked to enter 6 digits when I set it up right after SIM activation two months ago.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on January 20, 2019, 05:31:01 PM
Rick, thanks for the update.  I'm glad to hear that Google has apparently fixed the porting form.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: CADNYTA on September 22, 2019, 08:58:22 AM
Quote from: Pedro675 on May 16, 2018, 08:52:57 AM
I have just activated my mobile phone with AT&T. Unfortunately, as I feared, the reception at my house is terrible. Virtually none in the house but some outside - go figure on a 4g phone. This area has always been a dead spot, but I thought with 4g it would be usa today (https://dailycrossword.onl/usa-today/) protonmail (https://mailsafe.onl/protonmail/)  better.

I have paid for a 30 day plan and will need to port my home phone to this cell phone then port it to GV. I can go to a friend's house where hopefully the signal is better. What I want to know is how long I have to wait for a return phone call on this cell from GV to complete the port.

Can someone chime in here to help. If it's only a few minutes then I can do it at my friends.

Thanks  
You could probably reactivate it if you took it to a store, but they'd probably want to issue you a new SIM to avoid confusion.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: DigitalDad on September 30, 2019, 12:21:37 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on January 16, 2019, 02:39:51 PM
Here is the information that we have compiled over on the Google Voice forum, with regard to T-Mobile prepaid.  This is unofficial, and since carriers change things periodically, I can't guarantee that it is accurate, but it's highly likely to work:

T-Mobile Prepaid
*PayGo  "My T-Mobile Account" shows your account number. It is the number on the top right of the screen (9 Digits).  It also shows it under the Account Activity Log.
*Legacy Pay as you Go accounts = your 10-digit phone number with 1 in front is your account number

PIN - 4-digit PIN....To set a PIN, dial 611, say "no" to refill, choose "manage my account", choose "change my account pin", then set your 4-digit PIN
Customer Service: 1-505-998-3793
Prepaid Porting: 1-877-778-2106

The porting form that first appears, along with some T-Mobile-specific instructions, does not include a field to enter the PIN.
After submitting the form, you will get an automated email note within the half-hour, complaining about the missing PIN or SSN. 
Go back to the form, and at that point, it will display the fields. 
Enter the PIN and a dummy SSN, and resubmit.

Would you help me get my number ported over please?

Step 1: Buy this: https://www.amazon.com/T-Mobile-Prepaid-Complete-SIM-Kit/dp/B00LPPHHFK (https://www.amazon.com/T-Mobile-Prepaid-Complete-SIM-Kit/dp/B00LPPHHFK)
Step 2? from here I am lost :(
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on September 30, 2019, 01:34:13 PM
You're going to need to tell us more than "I'm lost".  At least read and try the steps, and tell us what happens, at the point where you are "lost".  Describe what it is that you don't understand or can't perform.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: DigitalDad on September 30, 2019, 04:00:28 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on September 30, 2019, 01:34:13 PM
You're going to need to tell us more than "I'm lost".  At least read and try the steps, and tell us what happens, at the point where you are "lost".  Describe what it is that you don't understand or can't perform.

I just got and installed the Obi200 and a router switch, I was able to log in to ObiTalk but only with my google account and not using my email, I have not received any emails from ObiTalk, but that is another issue. It all works, I can make a call to my GV and my home phone rings and I can call out. Now everyone at the house is mad at me and wants our home phone number we have had for over 25 years to be what people call. I did a search and found this guide which said I could get a $3 T-mobile SIM and use it to port my home number to T-mobile and then from TM to GV. OK well first off it seems like prices have gone up since this was written, I can live with that. I saw a post in Jan of 2019 linking a TM SIM that came to about $7 so I bought it, it will be here Wednesday. On Wednesday when it arrives I am not sure what to do from there? Do I have to sign up for TM prepaid too, and if so what is the least expensive way to do so just to get my number ported?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: LTN1 on September 30, 2019, 07:00:36 PM
Quote from: DigitalDad on September 30, 2019, 04:00:28 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on September 30, 2019, 01:34:13 PM
You're going to need to tell us more than "I'm lost".  At least read and try the steps, and tell us what happens, at the point where you are "lost".  Describe what it is that you don't understand or can't perform.

I just got and installed the Obi200 and a router switch, I was able to log in to ObiTalk but only with my google account and not using my email, I have not received any emails from ObiTalk, but that is another issue. It all works, I can make a call to my GV and my home phone rings and I can call out. Now everyone at the house is mad at me and wants our home phone number we have had for over 25 years to be what people call. I did a search and found this guide which said I could get a $3 T-mobile SIM and use it to port my home number to T-mobile and then from TM to GV. OK well first off it seems like prices have gone up since this was written, I can live with that. I saw a post in Jan of 2019 linking a TM SIM that came to about $7 so I bought it, it will be here Wednesday. On Wednesday when it arrives I am not sure what to do from there? Do I have to sign up for TM prepaid too, and if so what is the least expensive way to do so just to get my number ported?

Have you checked to see if your home phone number is from an area that can be ported? That should be the first step before doing the T-Mobile transfer.

Check here: https://www.google.com/voice/b/0/porting

If it says, "Ooops! This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support..." then you won't likely be able to port that number even after transferring it to T-Mobile.

If it says, "Ooops! We currently don't support porting from your carrier. We apologize and are working on adding support for more carriers..." then you have a good chance after porting it to T-Mobile.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: DigitalDad on October 01, 2019, 04:24:18 AM
Quote from: LTN1 on September 30, 2019, 07:00:36 PM
Have you checked to see if your home phone number is from an area that can be ported? That should be the first step before doing the T-Mobile transfer.

Check here: https://www.google.com/voice/b/0/porting

If it says, "Ooops! This number appears to be from an area we don't currently support..." then you won't likely be able to port that number even after transferring it to T-Mobile.

If it says, "Ooops! We currently don't support porting from your carrier. We apologize and are working on adding support for more carriers..." then you have a good chance after porting it to T-Mobile.

I just tried that link and entered my phone number and got this message, "Ooops! We currently don't support porting from your carrier. We apologize and are working on adding support for more carriers"

So it looks like I'm ok on that part. I do have a SIM card on the way and should be here tomorrow(Wed 10-1-19). It is this one, I hope it is the right one and will work - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LPPHHFK/ (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LPPHHFK/)
Honestly what is worrying me the most right now is what to do when I get the SIM, I have read some places they did't get a plan but somehow got 10 minutes free? And in other places I have read they got a plan for $3(which I can't find anywhere).
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on October 01, 2019, 12:27:48 PM
T-Mobile is selling (or has already sold) their prepaid business to Ultra Mobile, as far as I've heard.  This is causing some confusion over the exact cost for a minimum number of minutes.  It's up to you to shop and compare.

It is not sufficient to buy a SIM.  You need to have working phone service, so you must buy whatever the minimum amount of calling they offer.  For example:  if the minimum is now $x per month, then buy that.

What you need:  Google Voice does not port in land line numbers.  To work around this the "hack" is to port your land line phone number to a mobile service.  How you do that doesn't matter from Google's standpoint.  But, from a procedural standpoint, you need to end up with the number ported to a mobile carrier, such that you can both make and receive mobile phone calls, and you can send and receive text messages.  Porting a land line number into a mobile carrier, or doing the reverse, is more complex than a simple mobile-to-mobile port, and it will take at least 24 hours, and sometimes several days.  Wait a full week after you can receive calls on the mobile phone, before subsequently porting into Google Voice.

Do NOT cancel service, under any circumstances, during these two ports, or you will lose the right use the number.  The porting process will cancel service for you, on the losing carrier, automatically at the right stage of the process.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: DigitalDad on October 01, 2019, 03:21:00 PM
So should I use UltraMobile instead? It says you buy a "PayGo" at T-mobile retailers, it does say you can transfer your phone number on the FAQ's.

Never Mind.

Just got off the phone with the T-Mobile stores around me and none of them carry it and they gave me the 1-888 # to Ultramobile and they don't sell them online or over the phone. So unless you are near one of the lucky 1500 stores that got PayGo you are out of luck. And T-mobile is telling me their cheapest prepaid service is $40.

So it looks like $7+$40+$20=$67 (SIM+1 Month of Pre-paid Plan + Google Voice Porting Fee) is what it is going to cost me to keep my old home phone number. A lot more than the original $3 I went in to this thinking it would cost.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on October 01, 2019, 03:34:22 PM
I said "it's up to you to shop and compare", and I meant it.  I didn't mean "follow this eight-year-old thread's original directions".

The prepaid industry is moving away from the low-profit pay-per-minute plans, especially the subsidiary brands of the big four mobile carriers.

You could use another prepaid service provider; there is nothing magic about T-Mobile.  For example:

https://www.redpocket.com/plans/add/M010 (https://www.redpocket.com/plans/add/M010)

Aside from that, you don't need to limit yourself to Google Voice.  There are low-cost alternatives that work fine with OBiTALK devices.  Many of us use Callcentric, voip.ms or Anveo.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: DigitalDad on October 01, 2019, 03:39:56 PM
I tried to ask before I bought that pre-paid sim but I'm not dwelling on that but hopefully someone new will see this and make a wiser choice than I. I had read not to buy from smaller outfits as they didn't do porting of numbers well like the larger companies, but maybe that was a very old post, You kind of get lost and confused after reading 23+ pages of the tutorial, I think it's time for a re-write/updated version on a fresh page and stickyed.

But on to better questions, why use something other than Google Voice? What is the benefits of a different service or what are the drawbacks of Google voice?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on October 01, 2019, 04:20:43 PM
We can't make this discussion thread vanish, so people like you find it and then get sucked into the vortex.

Why use another service?  Because you weren't happy about the cost of porting to Google Voice, and you said "never mind".  The other services can directly port in land lines with very little fuss, and some of them do it for free.

See:  https://www.callcentric.com/did/ (https://www.callcentric.com/did/)


Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: LTN1 on October 01, 2019, 04:58:23 PM
Seems like you can buy a PayGo Ultra Mobile on eBay and have it activated online here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PreLoaded-Ultra-Mobile-SIM-Card-with-19-Plan-1st-Month-Services-included/182154428180?hash=item2a693fff14:g:5fYAAOSwYUBa3xvG

The cost is $10 and includes the first month free with free porting, etc.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on October 01, 2019, 05:05:52 PM
Good find!  Thanks.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: DigitalDad on October 01, 2019, 10:26:28 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on October 01, 2019, 04:20:43 PM
We can't make this discussion thread vanish, so people like you find it and then get sucked into the vortex.

Why use another service?  Because you weren't happy about the cost of porting to Google Voice, and you said "never mind".  The other services can directly port in land lines with very little fuss, and some of them do it for free.

See:  https://www.callcentric.com/did/ (https://www.callcentric.com/did/)


I didn't know you could port to other services for free and directly? That is a HUGE selling point!



Quote from: LTN1 on October 01, 2019, 04:58:23 PM
Seems like you can buy a PayGo Ultra Mobile on eBay and have it activated online here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PreLoaded-Ultra-Mobile-SIM-Card-with-19-Plan-1st-Month-Services-included/182154428180?hash=item2a693fff14:g:5fYAAOSwYUBa3xvG

The cost is $10 and includes the first month free with free porting, etc.

Wow! this is a great find! Thank you!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: DigitalDad on October 02, 2019, 07:28:15 PM
So I got the SIM card today and I called in and an agent walked me through getting signed up and activated, they took a payment of $40 even to get going on the cheapest prepaid plan and they started the porting process of my landline to T-mobile. And they did say it will take 10 days, till Oct. 12th, so at least the agents are well trained. I did get a temp number until then and they also said it would take 72 hours before I could sign in to mytmobile, but I got an email that had a link to login and it works so maybe I got lucky with that part. I also made sure to get my PIN and account number to make porting to google easier. I used my wife's T-mobile phone to test the SIM and it works. So now I wait, I will update on the 10th.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: bushman65 on October 03, 2019, 03:31:24 PM
Quote from: DigitalDad on October 02, 2019, 07:28:15 PM
So I got the SIM card today and I called in and an agent walked me through getting signed up and activated, they took a payment of $40 even to get going on the cheapest prepaid plan and they started the porting process of my landline to T-mobile. And they did say it will take 10 days, till Oct. 12th, so at least the agents are well trained. I did get a temp number until then and they also said it would take 72 hours before I could sign in to mytmobile, but I got an email that had a link to login and it works so maybe I got lucky with that part. I also made sure to get my PIN and account number to make porting to google easier. I used my wife's T-mobile phone to test the SIM and it works. So now I wait, I will update on the 10th.

Looking forward to your update. I know it looks like it is a bigger cost than you thought. For me, when I finally get things underway, that initial cost layout will be peanuts to the amount I would be paying to Ma Bell. Cheers.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on October 03, 2019, 04:32:38 PM
Why not try using Red Pocket Mobile instead.  You should not have to pay $40.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: DigitalDad on October 07, 2019, 04:29:13 AM
Quote from: bushman65 on October 03, 2019, 03:31:24 PM
Looking forward to your update. I know it looks like it is a bigger cost than you thought. For me, when I finally get things underway, that initial cost layout will be peanuts to the amount I would be paying to Ma Bell. Cheers.

Yeah, I am doing this to save money so that is my driving reason. Today everything finally is working on the ported phone number. I can make calls to it, make calls with it, message to and from it and data is working. So I would say the port is finally complete even though I got a message saying it was complete on 10/04/2019 two days after 10/2/2019 when I started service and requested the port. But today the 10/7/2019 it all is actually working, since the fourth I had only been able to make calls, not receive any. And no text messaging either way, but data worked. Now it all works. I still have 5 more days until the 12th, the suggested 10 day wait to try and port to Google Voice, think I should try sooner? And I hear that's $20. Any more pro's & con's for using a different service other than GV?

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on October 07, 2019, 06:35:05 PM
Yeah, you can start the process tomorrow, here:  https://www.google.com/voice/porting (https://www.google.com/voice/porting)

Porting help:  https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667?hl=en&ref_topic=1708124 (https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667?hl=en&ref_topic=1708124)

Be damn sure you are first signed into the correct Gmail account on your browser.  If you have any doubt about being signed into multiple Google/Gmail accounts (which is allowed and managed by cookies), then open an incognito or private browsing window instead, and sign into just the one correct Gmail account.

Please take advantage of the Google Voice help pages as you get familiar with the service.  It is much more than a "free phone company", and the help pages will walk you through setup and use.

https://support.google.com/voice/#topic=1707989 (https://support.google.com/voice/#topic=1707989)

Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: DigitalDad on October 07, 2019, 06:55:49 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on October 07, 2019, 06:35:05 PM
Please take advantage of the Google Voice help pages as you get familiar with the service.  It is much more than a "free phone company", and the help pages will walk you through setup and use.

Would you mind elaborating just a little so I know what I'm looking for when I see it?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on October 07, 2019, 07:10:07 PM
Why can't you simply browse through the help pages?  They are set up in easily-digestible topics, and anybody with a 7th-grade education or above can understand them.

Personally, I've now walked you through starting the number porting process, which millions of people have done without assistance, and I now expect that you will make an effort to learn more, on your own, before asking more questions.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: DigitalDad on October 07, 2019, 07:21:37 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on October 07, 2019, 07:10:07 PM
Why can't you simply browse through the help pages?  They are set up in easily-digestible topics, and anybody with a 7th-grade education or above can understand them.

Personally, I've now walked you through starting the number porting process, which millions of people have done without assistance, and I now expect that you will make an effort to learn more, on your own, before asking more questions.

I just like to talk to people, sorry for trying to connect with you. I'm a little bored and a little lonely I guess, won't bother you any more. Thanks for all you have done for me, I greatly appreciate all the help.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on November 09, 2019, 05:57:51 AM
I have ported several numbers using T-Mobile over the years and even have a few sim cards left over.  As mentioned, T Mobile's least expensive prepaid plan is now $40 or $50 bucks a month.  Has anyone tried using the $10 Ultra Mobile Ebay deal mentioned. or the Red Pocket $10 deal?  If so did it go smoothly?

on another note, my # of Posts count has been stuck for a few months
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: racer77 on December 30, 2019, 09:29:08 AM
Can I port my landline number to Google Voice through my Verizon cell phone and not lose my Verizon number?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: drgeoff on December 30, 2019, 11:17:02 AM
Quote from: racer77 on December 30, 2019, 09:29:08 AM
Can I port my landline number to Google Voice through my Verizon cell phone and not lose my Verizon number?
No and yes.

If you port your landline to your current Verizon SIM you will lose the Verizon number.

If you get another SIM and put that in the cellphone until the two ports are complete you can then put the original SIM back and have cellphone service on your original Verizon number.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: MxxC on February 11, 2020, 10:49:40 PM
Hey folks.
I'm looking to port my number from FIOS to GV.
I was looking at the obitalk's porting tutorial page and it talks about using T-Mobile's pay-as-you-go plan. However, it seems like tmobile killed off that plan.
I was considering MintSim as an alternative intermediary step. Especially since right now their starter kit on amazon is only $0.99 (and $5 otherwise).
Would this method work? Can I port my number from Mint to GV?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on February 12, 2020, 03:26:49 AM
Quote from: MxxC on February 11, 2020, 10:49:40 PM
Hey folks.
I'm looking to port my number from FIOS to GV.
I was looking at the obitalk's porting tutorial page and it talks about using T-Mobile's pay-as-you-go plan. However, it seems like tmobile killed off that plan.
I was considering MintSim as an alternative intermediary step. Especially since right now their starter kit on amazon is only $0.99 (and $5 otherwise).
Would this method work? Can I port my number from Mint to GV?

I don't recommend Mint.  Users have had a hard time getting account number and PIN for porting.  Aside from that, a 99 cent SIM is just a SIM.  You need to buy a service plan, because you will need to answer a telephone call on that number, on a cellphone.  The lowest-priced plan they sell is $15.00.  Good luck finding anything cheaper, though.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: MxxC on February 12, 2020, 01:37:14 PM
Hmm.. The starter kit from Mint comes with 100minutes and 7 days trial, plus they port-in for free. Even if I'd have to pay $15 on top of that it still cheaper than anything else I could find.🤔

If not Mint then what other low cost option are there? The big 4 all charge $10+ for sim card and seems like at least $40/month for the cheapest prepaid plan.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Taoman on February 12, 2020, 03:41:51 PM
Page Plus Cellular SIM card is $0.99. PAYG refill card is $10. I've ported a lot of numbers into Page Plus and never paid a porting fee.

https://www.pagepluscellular.com/accessories/byop-3-in-1-sim-activation-kit/ (https://www.pagepluscellular.com/accessories/byop-3-in-1-sim-activation-kit/)
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: LTN1 on February 12, 2020, 08:21:13 PM
Quote from: MxxC on February 12, 2020, 01:37:14 PM
Even if I'd have to pay $15 on top of that it still cheaper than anything else I could find.🤔

You're on page 25 of this thread. Did you look at the recommendations on page 24 (or the page before this one)?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: MxxC on February 14, 2020, 06:08:18 PM
Quote from: LTN1 on February 12, 2020, 08:21:13 PM
Quote from: MxxC on February 12, 2020, 01:37:14 PM
Even if I'd have to pay $15 on top of that it still cheaper than anything else I could find.🤔

You're on page 25 of this thread. Did you look at the recommendations on page 24 (or the page before this one)?
The last post prior to mine were from last year. As it was said on page 24, prepaid industry moves fast, so information on page 24 and prior might have been outdated. Hence I asked. My apologies for troubling you too much. Whenever possible I will refrain from posting on this forum so not to disturb you.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: DaveL on March 24, 2020, 03:44:26 PM
Quote from: LTN1 on October 01, 2019, 04:58:23 PM
Seems like you can buy a PayGo Ultra Mobile on eBay and have it activated online here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PreLoaded-Ultra-Mobile-SIM-Card-with-19-Plan-1st-Month-Services-included/182154428180?hash=item2a693fff14:g:5fYAAOSwYUBa3xvG

The cost is $10 and includes the first month free with free porting, etc.

I just finished porting my landline number from CenturyLink to UltraMobile and then to Google Voice.

I purchased the $ 9.99 SIM on Ebay from Ezkonnect mentioned in the link above. Reading the Ebay comments I was a little concerned about a couple that claimed they didn't get the free month free service, so I contacted Ezkonnect before I tried activating the SIM. They told me I needed to activate on their site, NOT on the UltraMobile site. I did that - it took 3 1/2 days for the port to complete from CenturyLink and I did have the free month service added to my account.

I waited another 10 days, just to be safe before attempting to port to Google Voice. It was easy to get my UltraMobile account # and PIN. After your UltraMobile service is activated, you go to their website and access your account by entering your phone # and requesting a password to be texted to your phone. Once you get this, you can login to your account - however that doesn't show your account number. However, your account page says this - "In order to access your UltraMobile account #, please contact Customer Service..." and the current number which I won't mention here 'cause that could change. You simply call this and choose the option to get your account number, which will be texted to you along with your PIN, which in my case was the last 4 digits of my phone number.

It took 24 hours for the port to Google Voice to complete. Pretty smooth. There was one thing I wasn't sure about - the Google Voice porting form has fields to enter Billing Address but when I looked at my UltraMobile account there was no billing address. So to be safe, I added a credit card and billing address just in case the two billing addresses needed to match. Anyway, very satisfied with how this went. Thanks to LTN1 for the info on the UltraMobile SIM on Ebay and everyone who has contributed to this thread!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: LTN1 on March 24, 2020, 05:59:08 PM
Glad that it worked out for you, DaveL! Thanks for keeping the thread updated regarding the UltraMobile SIM.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Albert12 on May 19, 2020, 05:45:19 AM
Thanks for the kind words.

Like Johnny, I asked myself the same question. My primary goal here is to keep my land line number and my secondary goal is to enjoy the free services from Google for as long as they are available.

That said, I choose to port my number to GV because in case there is any hiccup with Google Chat, I can always route my calls to my other phone numbers. If I port my land line straight to CC, then I lost this flexibility. This is, of course, assuming that Google will at least continue to provide call routing. In case Google stops everything, then CC is always there for me.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Black1Star on May 19, 2020, 06:11:11 AM
Planning on doing this, but don't have a unlocked phone to test out the ports with.  Anybody try to do this without the phone?

Anybody have a suggestion on an unlocked or tmobile phone to buy for this?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dtmp on December 15, 2020, 07:32:54 AM
I was going to try this with my current mobile service (ting) since I have an old iPhone 5s I was going to use. Turns out, because of the T-Mobile/Sprint merger I can no longer use the old iPhone 5s. So, before you purchase any sim cards, make sure they work with the phone you are trying to use.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Arizona480 on December 18, 2020, 06:09:12 PM
Quote from: daibaan on July 14, 2011, 06:19:35 PM
I followed waichai2000's procedure exactly, got almost the exact the same result:

Day 1: Called T-mobile's number porting dept (1-800-937-8997 then transfered to number porting dept), requested them to port my AT&T land line number to my prepaid SIM.

Day 3 (13:00): Received a phone call on my T-mobile phone, caller confirm she was calling my AT&T landline number

Day 3 (13:30): Create a new Google Voice account and request number porting. Provided the T-mobile account number and PIN.


Day 4 (00:31): Received an email from Google: porting initiated
Day 4 (00:32): Received an email from Google: incorrect PIN (I am sure I provided the correct PIN)
Day 4 (09:30): call T-mobile to confirm my PIN, CSR note that the newly ported in AT&T number has a port-out request attached and thought it was a mistake, I told her not to worry.
Day 4 (09:40): provided GV the T-Mobile PIN again for porting (a link was provided in the google email)

Day 5 (00:29): Received an email from Google: porting initiated
Day 5 (00:29): Received an email from Google: porting completed successfully

I suspect that the T-mobile system has problem handling a number being ported in and ported out on the same day. So if you get a "incorrect PIN" email from Google, just try again. Also it seems Google is performing all the number porting shortly after midnight each day.

Thanks waichai2000

I saw somewhere on here to wait a full week before porting from T-Mobile to GV, is that still valid?  Also, does   https://freecarrierlookup.com/  update frequently?  Wait a week after that website changes from my landline carrier to T-Mobile?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Arizona480 on December 25, 2020, 12:46:25 PM
So I am at a week since initiating my landline (COX, shows as COMCAST on lookup) my number seems to be fully ported into T-Mobile, I can both send and receive both calls and texts on the smartphone.  However, I can still call out from my landline but cannot receive calls.  My number now shows as belonging to T-Mobile on the https://freecarrierlookup.com/ website and GV now says my number is eligible to port into them.

My question is:  Should I wait any period of time or at least until the landline no longer has a dial-tone before the final port into GV?  I read on here that someone said wait a full week after full-functionality with T-Mobile. 

Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on December 25, 2020, 01:22:21 PM
IF your landline phone can still make calls, then the port to a mobile carrier didn't fully complete, and any subsequent port requests will fail.

Contact the landline carrier.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Arizona480 on December 25, 2020, 01:41:49 PM
I will do, thank you!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: FrobziKer on February 27, 2021, 05:13:40 AM
I have an old non-VoIP landline phone that supports voicemail. At the moment my internet cable company manages my phone access via PacketCable modem and it costs me $50 per month!

Questions:
1. Does ObiTalk with Google Voice send voicemails to the actual phone? I don't want to constantly have to access voicemails in ObiTalk Dashboard or in Google Account. I need voicemails to arrive to the actual phone. Does ObiTalk + Google Voice combination do that?
2. Who should I contact first when I begin number porting process - my current phone provider or the mobile carrier to which my landline phone will be ported?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Arizona480 on February 27, 2021, 10:50:18 AM
Quote from: FrobziKer on February 27, 2021, 05:13:40 AM
I have an old non-VoIP landline phone that supports voicemail. At the moment my internet cable company manages my phone access via PacketCable modem and it costs me $50 per month!

Questions:
1. Does ObiTalk with Google Voice send voicemails to the actual phone? I don't want to constantly have to access voicemails in ObiTalk Dashboard or in Google Account. I need voicemails to arrive to the actual phone. Does ObiTalk + Google Voice combination do that?
2. Who should I contact first when I begin number porting process - my current phone provider or the mobile carrier to which my landline phone will be ported?

1.  No, unfortunately there is no signal sent to any attached phones for voice mail notification.   My mom had to get used to this when she moved to GV.  The good news is, the GV app can be installed on any device, so she can keep an old smartphone or two around to get notified of any voicemails or texts.

I'm not sure if there is any device that would give you this signal, but one would be nice.

2.  You work with a mobile carrier, they handle everything with your current landline provider with your permission.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: FrobziKer on March 02, 2021, 05:51:53 AM
Please tell me ObiTalk devices with Google Voice make attached landline phones ring!

Can ObiTalk device be re-registered? I already have a Google Voice account, but it isn't the one we're going to use for our family phone once the number gets ported. I just want to give it try, but I don't want the ObiTalk device to be permanently registered to my current account.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: drgeoff on March 02, 2021, 06:31:52 AM
Quote from: FrobziKer on March 02, 2021, 05:51:53 AM
Please tell me ObiTalk devices with Google Voice make attached landline phones ring!

Can ObiTalk device be re-registered? I already have a Google Voice account, but it isn't the one we're going to use for our family phone once the number gets ported. I just want to give it try, but I don't want the ObiTalk device to be permanently registered to my current account.
The answer is yes to both your questions.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: lyric1011 on March 29, 2021, 07:59:44 PM
I had a landline with Comcast, and used Tracfone as the intermediary to make the number a mobile number.  I bought the intro SIM package for Tracfone on Amazon for $1:
(https://www.amazon.com/eGift-Promotion-Tracfone-Phone-Prepaid/dp/B0728N8PT9/ref=pd_lpo_107_t_0/132-2035713-0610811?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0728N8PT9&pd_rd_r=eecad204-6dbf-4ba3-8167-e96acaf84663&pd_rd_w=hbIR8&pd_rd_wg=XT4n4&pf_rd_p=337be819-13af-4fb9-8b3e-a5291c097ebb&pf_rd_r=MS1RB3V3YHHX2KNDZ4H6&psc=1&refRID=MS1RB3V3YHHX2KNDZ4H6 ). 

It has 3 SIMS- ATT, T-mobile, Verizon.  I put the appropriate SIM (for the company of a cell I had lying around) in and activated the phone on the Tracfone site. 

The Tracfone port was almost instantaneous, but the Google Voice port took 48 hours.  Just a heads up- the Tracfone account number is not your SIM number (many sites say it is)- it is the IMEI of the activated cell phone. I put in the SIM number and got an error message from Google.  The IMEI number worked.

Total cost $86 (~2 months of landline on ATT, 3 months on Xfinity): Obi200 $50, Tracfone Sims $1, Tracfone 1 month cheapest plan $15, Google Voice Port $20.  I also signed up for GV911 to get E911 services for $12 a year. 

So far (2 weeks in),  crystal clear line, no dropped calls, all working as expected!
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: RobertNYC on June 12, 2021, 07:09:13 AM
Quote from: Arizona480 on February 27, 2021, 10:50:18 AM
Quote from: FrobziKer on February 27, 2021, 05:13:40 AM
I have an old non-VoIP landline phone that supports voicemail. At the moment my internet cable company manages my phone access via PacketCable modem and it costs me $50 per month!

Questions:
1. Does ObiTalk with Google Voice send voicemails to the actual phone? I don't want to constantly have to access voicemails in ObiTalk Dashboard or in Google Account. I need voicemails to arrive to the actual phone. Does ObiTalk + Google Voice combination do that?
2. Who should I contact first when I begin number porting process - my current phone provider or the mobile carrier to which my landline phone will be ported?

1.  No, unfortunately there is no signal sent to any attached phones for voice mail notification.   My mom had to get used to this when she moved to GV.  The good news is, the GV app can be installed on any device, so she can keep an old smartphone or two around to get notified of any voicemails or texts.

I'm not sure if there is any device that would give you this signal, but one would be nice.

2.  You work with a mobile carrier, they handle everything with your current landline provider with your permission.


I may be confused about the original question, but I have a Panasonic land line with two satellite handsets attached to my Obi (Polycom) device. I also have two GV numbers that are set up to ring my landline via the OBI device. As my landline device has a voice mail feature, any calls that connect to the landline trigger the answering machine function if I don't pick up. I can hear the caller over the speaker as he or she leaves the message live, and the phones will blink to indicate a voicemail has been left. They will keep blinking until I retrieve the voicemail(s).

In short, voicemails can be and are sent to my physical landline that is connected to the Obi device.

Is the original question referring to something else?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on June 12, 2021, 11:28:54 AM
Quote from: RobertNYC on June 12, 2021, 07:09:13 AM
Quote from: Arizona480 on February 27, 2021, 10:50:18 AM
Quote from: FrobziKer on February 27, 2021, 05:13:40 AM
I have an old non-VoIP landline phone that supports voicemail. At the moment my internet cable company manages my phone access via PacketCable modem and it costs me $50 per month!

Questions:
1. Does ObiTalk with Google Voice send voicemails to the actual phone? I don't want to constantly have to access voicemails in ObiTalk Dashboard or in Google Account. I need voicemails to arrive to the actual phone. Does ObiTalk + Google Voice combination do that?
2. Who should I contact first when I begin number porting process - my current phone provider or the mobile carrier to which my landline phone will be ported?

1.  No, unfortunately there is no signal sent to any attached phones for voice mail notification.   My mom had to get used to this when she moved to GV.  The good news is, the GV app can be installed on any device, so she can keep an old smartphone or two around to get notified of any voicemails or texts.

I'm not sure if there is any device that would give you this signal, but one would be nice.

2.  You work with a mobile carrier, they handle everything with your current landline provider with your permission.


I may be confused about the original question, but I have a Panasonic land line with two satellite handsets attached to my Obi (Polycom) device. I also have two GV numbers that are set up to ring my landline via the OBI device. As my landline device has a voice mail feature, any calls that connect to the landline trigger the answering machine function if I don't pick up. I can hear the caller over the speaker as he or she leaves the message live, and the phones will blink to indicate a voicemail has been left. They will keep blinking until I retrieve the voicemail(s).

In short, voicemails can be and are sent to my physical landline that is connected to the Obi device.

Is the original question referring to something else?

This discussion thread was/is about how to port a phone number into Google Voice.  It is unrelated to your question.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: RobertNYC on July 01, 2021, 09:45:10 AM
I was actually responding to another person who asked whether Obitalk with GV sent voicemails to the "actual phone," as he/she put it. I know what the larger topic of the discussioni thread is.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on July 27, 2021, 05:19:16 AM
Helping my sister port her Spectrum Cable # and I haven't ported a number in many years. What SIM cards (and a couple of weeks of service) are reliable and inexpensive?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: Arizona480 on July 28, 2021, 12:02:00 AM
Quote from: dircom on July 27, 2021, 05:19:16 AM
Helping my sister port her Spectrum Cable # and I haven't ported a number in many years. What SIM cards (and a couple of weeks of service) are reliable and inexpensive?

I did the $15 T-Mobile Connect plan to use with the porting process.  The SIM is usually $10. 
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: bigL on August 27, 2021, 11:44:02 AM
how long should I wait before porting to GV.  I am using TING Mobile, it was just ported this morning.   According to GV it can be ported to Gv now.  How long should I wait to port it?
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: dircom on August 27, 2021, 12:41:21 PM
Wait a week. Also send a text to your new Ting service and make sure that works.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: bigL on August 29, 2021, 04:44:51 PM
I would not wait.  Ting ported my number on Friday morning.  Saturday morning I did the port to Google and right before mid night I received a notification that the port was complete.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: SteveInWA on August 30, 2021, 02:37:56 PM
Quote from: bigL on August 29, 2021, 04:44:51 PM
I would not wait.  Ting ported my number on Friday morning.  Saturday morning I did the port to Google and right before mid night I received a notification that the port was complete.

Regardless of your experience, it's best to wait at least a few business days after porting a land line into a mobile carrier, before porting that number into Google Voice.  It can take several days for inbound calling and text messaging to be fully moved over, and for the landline service provider to properly cancel service on that line.  Impatience leads to messes.
Title: Re: Number porting to GV - my experience
Post by: bushman65 on May 24, 2022, 01:47:41 PM
OK, I have been out of the loop for a while, and I apologize. I have skimmed the boards, but I want to know if I may still set up my ObiHai 202? I have finally gotten a cell phone and intend to port landline to it and then to Google Voice and then use ObiHai. Still valid? I know that it may not work after 23Dec, but I can search for a solution in the meantime. I have a new (3 year old house that we have never moved into) which does not have POTS lines and want to take advantage of internet calling. I appreciate and thank you all for answers in advance. SteveInWA, I apologize for my denseness as well. Cheers!