Joined Nov 2005
L10: Grand Master
Forum Thread
*When* to port a landline?
January 7, 2021 at
02:24 PM
I manage a lot of things for my FIL, just because he's not that savvy. One of those being his wifi. Years ago I also put him on an Ooma vs. paying VZ like $60/mo.
I didn't realize it but a couple years ago he ported OUT of the Ooma to Frontier fiber, and now has Frontier for phone, internet and TV.
Well now he wants to go back to Cox and asked me to get another Ooma box for him (why he tossed the old one I have no idea). the Frontier contract ends in about a month.
So in order to keep his landline # I have to port it out - but typically when that's done it auto cancels the current account, right? I want to port it to keep it but I also don't want to do it too early and cause him a cancellation penalty. WHEN should I do it?
I didn't realize it but a couple years ago he ported OUT of the Ooma to Frontier fiber, and now has Frontier for phone, internet and TV.
Well now he wants to go back to Cox and asked me to get another Ooma box for him (why he tossed the old one I have no idea). the Frontier contract ends in about a month.
So in order to keep his landline # I have to port it out - but typically when that's done it auto cancels the current account, right? I want to port it to keep it but I also don't want to do it too early and cause him a cancellation penalty. WHEN should I do it?
About the OP
13 Comments
Your comment cannot be blank.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Don't cancel service until the number transfer is complete. Transferring a number out will generally cancel that service, but most likely would have no effect on internet or tv service. Contact them once the LNP completes.
Sign up for service from Cox ahead of time to reduce / eliminate downtime.
Try to make sure he actually got rid of the old ooma box and clarify how he got rid of it. Is premiere tied to the account or the box?
Set up nomorobo or similar to reduce robo calls, requires premiere.
While you're at it, consider reviewing his credit report, setting up accounts with some key places like irs and ssa, turning on a security freeze via each credit bureau, and opting out of pre-screened credit cards, and some junk mail via dmachoice
When I ported out their VZ, the service auto cancelled since there was no longer a number associated with the account. I don't know how that works with bundling.
Don't cancel service until the number transfer is complete. Transferring a number out will generally cancel that service, but most likely would have no effect on internet or tv service. Contact them once the LNP completes.
Sign up for service from Cox ahead of time to reduce / eliminate downtime.
Try to make sure he actually got rid of the old ooma box and clarify how he got rid of it. Is premiere tied to the account or the box?
Set up nomorobo or similar to reduce robo calls, requires premiere.
While you're at it, consider reviewing his credit report, setting up accounts with some key places like irs and ssa, turning on a security freeze via each credit bureau, and opting out of pre-screened credit cards, and some junk mail via dmachoice
I did do a port into Ooma last go round, from VZ, and I want to say it only took 2 or 3 days - they will tell you it CAN take a long time, but it happened quickly. I am not sure how much that delay depends on the utilities involved (e.g. is Frontier slower in doing something? Does it even matter?).
I'd try to have internet from the other provider up and running a week or two early.
I'd try to have internet from the other provider up and running a week or two early.
I explained it to him again last night.... he hates Frontier for some reason (why he does the utility hokey pokey I have no idea) and is keen on cancelling it ASAP but I explained to him that all this dance has to be done to ensure he keeps his number. Hopefully this experience will make him think twice in the future.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I explained it to him again last night.... he hates Frontier for some reason (why he does the utility hokey pokey I have no idea) and is keen on cancelling it ASAP but I explained to him that all this dance has to be done to ensure he keeps his number. Hopefully this experience will make him think twice in the future.
My experience mirrors yours, large phone / cable companies prorate.
It's likely he decided to make the switch based on telemarketing, door-to-door soliciting, or some other ad he came across.
My experience mirrors yours, large phone / cable companies prorate.
It's like he decided to make the switch based on telemarketing, door-to-door soliciting, or some other ad he came across.
I'll be porting out of vzw to Fi around the 21st
Then like the next day or day after I got the notification that the port happened.
Of course if you do that via cell carriers it happens in less than an hour.
Then I've had times where I just can't get a port to happen. When my mother died I tried porting out her number to Tmobile (I think) and that took months and went nowhere. Eventually I just cancelled Spectrum and said screw it.