How to Transfer Your Existing Phone Number to a New Provider

There are some wireless providers that just offer sub-par service compared to what some of the other companies in the market are providing, and if you're unhappy with your service, it might pay to look around and see if there's another wireless provider that can provide you better quality cell-phone service. Sometimes you might even save money and gain a better phone and additional features in the process! One of the major objections to getting rid of your existing phone is that you'll lose your phone number, but that's no longer the case. Since 2003, cell phone customers can take their existing phone number with them when they switch to new companies, here's how to make that happen.

The first thing you need to do is pick out a new provider. Your best bet on this is to ask around amongst your friends, family, and coworkers to see who they have their service with, and whether or not they're happy with it. Only ask people from your locality though, the quality of a network that the wireless provider offers can vary greatly depending on where you're at.

After you've done your research and picked out what plan and phone you want and are ready to open a new account, go visit a branch of the provider that you'd like to sign up with. Tell their sales persons that you'd like to start service with them and that you want to port your existing number to them. They will begin a process and work with your existing provider to transfer the number.

Don't let your old cell phone company refuse to port your number. Under federal law, they cannot refuse to port your number for any reason, even if you owe them money on a bill, or have a dispute with the company. You will have to pay them the early termination fee to the old company before the process will be completed successfully. Don't cancel your existing service with your old cell phone carrier until the process is complete, otherwise you might lose your cell phone number. The whole process should take 2 to 2.5 hours for the transfer to occur from your old phone.