No number portability with prepaid?

[lauralei2]

Have been told by Cingular that portability with my current cell # is not possible because I have prepaid service. Very dissappointing. Also have learned with my daughter in Orlando (attending college) and myself in Ft. Lauderdale we cannot get phone numbers in each respective area codes under the family plan. (She currently has Cingular) I suppose I am asking for too much, but didn't think so in the beginning. Have been told I would have to get a 407 # (when I am physically 250 miles from that area code). Now I am wondering if I would be considered roaming.....

Laura

[Studogvetmed]

I was able to port my number from my prepaid verizon plan to a post paid sprint plan. I don't get why you wouldn't be able to port your number. Perhaps you need to talk to a different rep. I think by law they have to let you port your number regardless of where it came from.

As far as the area code thing. I don't know much about it all. However if they are telling you you must get a certain area code that is 250 miles away from where you live... It makes me question weather you will be living in an area that doesn't have "native" coverage, so yes, you would be roaming potentially. With the right plan, you wouldn't be charged for roaming, but in the terms of cingular contract, it states you total number of minutes roaming can't be over 50% of your total usage. They can terminate contracts for this.

Talk it out with the guy before jumping in. Ask to be shown what coverage is like at the major locations you paln to use your phone and ask if you will be roaming or not in those areas.

Good luck,
Stu

[budney]

With porting it all depend on the company if they will allow you to port your number out. I could give you a yes or no answer if I knew who you have service with? And with the family plan, it has nothing to do with area codes. It all has to do with "markets". A market can be as large as several states or as small as a few counties. And with Cingular's national plans their are no roaming charges what so ever, dosn't matter where you use the phone.

[lauralei2]

Thanks for both replies. I have Tracfone as my prepaid cellular company. (it met my needs as a Nursing Student) As I have graduated, I would like to blend into a family plan with my daughter in college (Orlando, FL) with I in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She has met her commitments, but #1 has an Orlando area code. The Cingular person I spoke with said I would not be able to port my # and I would have to either get a 407 # with my daughter, or she would have to change #'s and get a 954 # with me.

I suppose I was asking too much, but I didn't think I was. I've also read in some disclaimers that the user must live in the billing address area, my daughter doesn't...and neither would I if I had a 407 #.

Wish it wasn't so complicated.

Laura

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by lauralei2

Thanks for both replies. I have Tracfone as my prepaid cellular company. (it met my needs as a Nursing Student) As I have graduated, I would like to blend into a family plan with my daughter in college (Orlando, FL) with I in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She has met her commitments, but #1 has an Orlando area code. The Cingular person I spoke with said I would not be able to port my # and I would have to either get a 407 # with my daughter, or she would have to change #'s and get a 954 # with me.

I suppose I was asking too much, but I didn't think I was. I've also read in some disclaimers that the user must live in the billing address area, my daughter doesn't...and neither would I if I had a 407 #.

Wish it wasn't so complicated.

Laura

That would apply to your billing address, not your area code. Also a point to note - all those college students using phones on family plans away from "home". They aren't terminating all those contracts. I don't think it is a big issue.

-Jay

[budney]

Originally Posted by lauralei2

Thanks for both replies. I have Tracfone as my prepaid cellular company. (it met my needs as a Nursing Student) As I have graduated, I would like to blend into a family plan with my daughter in college (Orlando, FL) with I in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She has met her commitments, but #1 has an Orlando area code. The Cingular person I spoke with said I would not be able to port my # and I would have to either get a 407 # with my daughter, or she would have to change #'s and get a 954 # with me.

I suppose I was asking too much, but I didn't think I was. I've also read in some disclaimers that the user must live in the billing address area, my daughter doesn't...and neither would I if I had a 407 #.

Wish it wasn't so complicated.

Laura

The rep was correct in that you can't port the number into Cingular, as Tracfone will not allow ports in or out.

As far as the family plan I think it all depends on. Who can get two lines with no or littlest deposit? Who can live with with a long distance number?