Just because you want to change your cell phone provider doesn't mean your number has to change. According to the FCC's "local number portability" (LNP) rules, you can keep your cell phone number as long as you are switching to another provider in the same geographic area as your current provider. If you want to keep your old number, there is a simple process to follow:
- Do not cancel your service with your current provider before initiating service with your prospective cell phone provider.
- Contact the provider you want to switch to and tell them that you would like to switch to their service. They will begin to port your number.
Before changing your wireless provider, you should check your contract to see if you will be required to pay an early termination fee. You may also have to pay a porting fee. If you want more information, you can check out this FCC Web site on how to keep your wireless phone number.
