All wireless carriers are not created equal
The beauty about wireless local number portability is that you are no longer tied to a wireless carrier that doesn't meet your needs simply because you want to keep your phone number . SureWest Wireless offers the lowest price unlimited flat rate service and is ready and willing to port your existing phone number! Give us a call!
For more information, see our frequently asked questions below.
- What is local number portability?
- When will this "portability" telephone number switching service be available?
- How does local number portability work?
- How is it determined if a telephone number can be ported?
- Should I cancel my existing service before porting?
- Will I need new equipment?
- How long will it take to port my number?
- Can I make calls during the porting process?
- Can I make calls to 911 during the number transfer?
- If the port process takes more than one day, will I still be responsible for paying my current provider for services?
- Can I keep my landline and have wireless service ringing on the same number?
- Can my pager number be ported?
- Where could I get more information on local number portability?
What is local number portability?
Local number portability is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate that requires wireless and wireline service providers to allow customers with eligible phone numbers to retain their number when changing service providers. Local number portability was mandated by the FCC for the 100 top Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) in the United States-which includes the Sacramento region.
[Back to top] When will this "portability" telephone number switching service be available?
Local number portability is currently available.
[Back to top] How does local number portability work?
You can sign up for service with SureWest and keep your existing phone number. All you need to do is complete our port form and subscriber application and we do the rest. We will need exact information as it appears on your current bill (e.g., is the name on the account "Bill" or "William" Smith). We recommend you bring a copy of your bill when you come in to port your number, as inaccurate information will delay the port process.
[Back to top] How is it determined if a telephone number can be ported?
All phone numbers are assigned to a local geographic area. To port a number from one carrier to another, it has to remain associated with the same local geographic area where it is currently assigned. So, to port your landline number to another carrier, that carrier must be within the same area.
To determine if it’s possible to port your number through SureWest, contact our customer service agents at 1.866.SureWest (1.866.787.3937).
[Back to top] Should I cancel my existing service before porting?
No, absolutely not. Your number must remain active. Canceling your service prior to porting will prevent you from keeping your number.
[Back to top] Will I need new equipment?
In most cases, customers will need a new phone. There are several different wireless technologies and the phone must match the system on which it's operating. In addition, some carriers use locking codes to ensure that their phones cannot be used on any other network. SureWest always offers great phone promotions, including many free phones with contract activation.
[Back to top] How long will it take to port my number?
SureWest Customer Care is prepared for the volume of customers seeking better service and value by creating a Porting Administration Team whose sole purpose is to facilitate the porting process. The process can take from two hours to 10 days. Please call your Customer Care representative to see how long the process may take depending on how you are porting. 1.866.SureWest (1.866.787.3937)
[Back to top] Can I make calls during the porting process?
In most cases, you'll be able to get your new SureWest phone within minutes and be able to make outgoing calls as soon as you get it. You can begin receiving incoming calls as soon as the port process has been finalized.
[Back to top] Can I make calls to 911 during the number transfer?
If you call 911 from your NEW phone after you requested number portability, but before the port is complete, a 911 call center will not be able to call you back. It is important that you remain on the line after calling 911 until advised that it is all right to hang up. If the call is disconnected before location and details have been provided, call 911 again and advise that you were disconnected.
If you call 911 from your OLD phone after you requested number portability, but before the port is complete, a 911 call center will not be able to call you back. It is important that you remain on the line after calling 911 until advised that it is all right to hang up. IF the call is disconnected before location and details have been provided, call 911 again and advise that you were disconnected.
[Back to top] If the port process takes more than one day, will I still be responsible for paying my current provider for services?
Yes. You will still be responsible for any unpaid bill, unfulfilled contract, fee or charge, including any early termination fee or charge, that is or has been incurred with the service provider from whom you are moving.
[Back to top] Can I keep my landline and have wireless service ringing on the same number?
No. Both services cannot share the same telephone number.
[Back to top] Can my pager number be ported?
No. Pager numbers cannot be ported to a landline service.
[Back to top] Where could I get more information on local number portability?
Visit the Federal Communications Commission website at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/NumberPortability/.
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