Transferring My Phone Number to Another Carrier

[IMSassafras]

I currently have Verizon and I will be going to Alltel this year. Will I be able to keep my existing phone number when I switch to Alltel? God, I hope so.

Warmly,
Sassafras

[IMSassafras]

Well, I found the answer... We can keep our phone numbers, as long as we switch to Alltel before we move to St. Ignace, MI.

[budone]

For whatever reason the UP seems to be part of Wisconsin in Alltel's puters. I wanted to let a sibling have an Alltel phone and have it be part of the family plan. But since I wanted a 906 number it was not possible.

The reason given is the UP is not considered part of the MI market. I never could understand it. I could have got any other area code (Aside for the Detroit area) but not a 906 number and have it part of the plan.

I kept my local Grand Rapids number when I moved to TC. Mostly for my friends so they can still call without long distance.

Maybe they have added a tower, but it seemed when I was in St Ignace proper along the water, the signal was a bit low. The topography drops quite a bit heading into the city. If you are anywhere west of 75 or north of the city I never had an issue. But you could always set up NAM2 for Sprint or Verizon up there is it becomes an issue.

And for the most part the UP is well covered. I do go analog about a half hour south of Houghton to close to Ontonogon, but that is it. (Well I used to, I now have an E815, so no analog option)

Good Luck on the move!!

[IMSassafras]

But you could always set up NAM2 for Sprint or Verizon up there is it becomes an issue.

This is a feature I'm aware of but I don't understand how it works. Does this feature require a full contract or are there non-contract options? Can a person get a second carrier for a month or so? I could possibly use this when Mick and I are in West Virginia. And, if I have a 231 area code for my main account, can I get a 906 number for the NAM2? Hmmm...

Thanks... now I get to research more stuff.

Warmly,
Sassafras

[UFO]

NAM2 is complicated imo and setting it up really depends on which model of phone you have. But I would first just wait to see exactly how the signal is before you try messing around with it. Since Verizon isn't in the area at all and for Sprint, it's an iPCS market, I would be surprised if it helped you anywhere. I also don't think it's possible to have 2 numbers on the same phone. I'm not sure of the reason but it seems like this question pops up every now and then and the answer to the best of my memory is no. But where I live, my phone has an area code of about 400 miles away. It's really not that big of a problem as widespread as cell phones have become with no long-distance charges. Keeping my number was much more important than a new number that's local for my new area. Since you're in a different market, you might get a blinking triangle even though you're still on the Alltel network but out of your home area. If it becomes bothersome you can take it off.

I also really don't think you'll have a problem in West Virginia either. Alltel covers most of the populated and traveled areas in the state. Really, between the Alltel network and all the free roaming partners, you're not likely to have problems there either.

To get a second carrier for a month or so, you'll have to look at Pre-paid plans. But the problem with that is that the phone cost is often so high because you're not signing a contract and for service you'll be paying though the nose. I know it might not sound like the safest way to go when you're not sure how the coverage will be, but I really think that just the alltel line would give you good coverage while saving you a lot of $$. If you have any problems after that you can always invest in something else then.