How long can you wait to port a number?

[chukkusmaximus]

Once the number porting is available to Magic Jack customers, is there a window of opportunity (time limit) to port your number?

In other words, do you have to port a number immediately? Can you port a number at any time?

Assuming I have a number that can be ported, can I wait 6 months or a year to port it?

Thanks.

[gooney]

Once the number porting is available to Magic Jack customers, is there a window of opportunity (time limit) to port your number?

In other words, do you have to port a number immediately? Can you port a number at any time?

Assuming I have a number that can be ported, can I wait 6 months or a year to port it?

Thanks.

I think you need to ask MJ that question... unless someone here works for MJ.

[LikeMagic]

There is no difference if you could port sooner or later. The porting process (not free) is the same from MJ standpoint. MJ charges a fee for porting so you could initiate the porting process anytime. The only requirement is you must still have your current phone service's number active before requesting porting to MJ service. To initiate number porting with most carriers, usually you'll have to:

1. fax/send to your new carrier a signed "Authorized to Transfer Number" form & your current phone bill of the phone number you want to port to the new carrier.
2. your new carrier will then send in the "Authorized to Transfer Number" form and a copy of your current phone bill to your current carrier requesting the number transfer
3. your old/current carrier will then acknowledge the transfer request and change your phone number in the Number Porting (NP) database to be associated with the new carrier's ID (10-digit E164 address called LRN (Location Routing Number))
4. Transfer of your old number is complete. From then on, incoming to your old (ported) number will "dip" into the NP database for the current LRN and is routed properly to the new assigned carrier.

Steps 2 & 3 usually take about a few days up to 30 days in most cases. Sometimes much longer, a few months, in rare cases.

[chukkusmaximus]

Thanks for your help.

In general, can you port a number to an established phone number? Let's say I have had cell service for a year, and I want to port a currently active number to this cell service. Can I do it?

Does it depend on the carrier?

Thanks again.

[LikeMagic]

It depends on the carrier technically, it can be done. Realistically, it creates a nightmare for the billing department, i.e. stops billing the old number, starts billing for the new ported number, keeps the same account & contract? Nah, it won't happen Most cell carriers would allow number porting when you first set up a new account only. It's less headache for them.

For VOIP service, it's a little more flexible. Most VOIP service would start you off with a "temp" number until they have porting info/procedure in place. Then they would process number porting request and take back the "temp" number. Your VOIP service would continue with the newly ported number.