Switching carriers.

I'm sorry to tell you that wireless number portability has been pushed back until the end of 2003. You cannot take your number with you when switching carriers. You can, however, set up (fairly cheaply) a forwarding service, an 800 number or equivalent.

 

Just out of curiosity, what got you to switch from Verizon to T-Mobile?

 

That's not a bad idea. I would just recommend that you actually try T-Mobile for however many days (usually 15-30) they let you try it and return it before canceling your Verizon account, just to make sure you get ample coverage in your home, work, etc.

 

jmccrane, normally I'd agree with you.

Really, the way to do it in this case is to just borrow your wife's phone for a few days, though. You have the opportunity to try it without worrying about ANYTHING, because the phone is there.

P

 

Yeah, I have to agree. It didn't cross my mind that your wife already has a T-M phone. Try to borrow it for a day or 2 when you travel to places you want the phone to be reliable.

 

I suggest that before you even CONSIDER switching service to T Mobile, you invest a few grand in psychotherapy, because anyone who uses TMobile must be crazy! I have endured horrible service and customer service that simply could not give a damn about the customer. After 7 months of dropped calls, large areas of no service and a MAJOR technical flaw caused by ATT towers and their new GSM signal that causes TMobile phones to read "Emergency Only" and not allow calls to be made or recieved, customer service told me that there would be a $200 charge to cancel my service!! Since I only have 4 months left on the contract, I lowered my price plan to the $19.95 plan (X 4months=$80) and told them to go to hell. Believe me, TMobile will be out of business soon if they continue a policy of penalizing the customer for their inadequate technology. Good Luck. If you want the names of a few good shrinks, let me know. I will call you shortly on my new cell phone.....and it won't be one from T Mobile.

 

What a shame you're anonymous. Come out and take a bow for delivering such a relevant-content-free message!

It always amazes me when people (usually anonymously, I guess they're embarrassed to admit who they are) come on and say, "THEIR SERVICE SUCKED FROM DAY ONE and it took me seven months to figure it out" - and what do you bet Mr. Anon Y. Mous here had a Samsung R225M. I want to know what service provider you found that has no dead spots - is it GodTel?

Now, back on track after that brief delay...

I agree that T-Mobile's family plan is good, and I concur - switch phones with your wife for a day or two and see if it works at your office, &c. I figure it works at your home or you wouldn't be considering switching. My wife and I share the 800 minutes and it's great.

 

If you switch phones with your wife for the day, you might also find out who's calling her when you're not expected to be around.

 

Great responce to a ....... intresting responce.

 

I too would like to know how to set up a call forwarding service or some kind of voice mail message that would tell people my new number when I switch carriers -- without my having to keep paying for the old carrier AND the new one. Anybody??

 

OsyaBender,

Just to avoid confusion, the first anonymous poster who rudely suggested investing in Psychotherapy was from Boston University while the second anonymous poster who tried to amuse us by saying that you may find out who's calling your wife was in his NYC apartment. Therefore, it is highly unprobable they are the same person.

 

I don't remember the name of the company my mother uses, but there are hundreds if not thousands of companies that will set up an 800 (or 888 or 877 or 866) number for you. You tell them what number you want them to forward to, and if it changes, you have your 800 number changed.

It will cost you a per-minute charge on the 800 number - so if you know you're going to be on for a long time, get a phone number to call the person back at so you use only your wireless minutes.

I would suggest doing some online research - Google or whatnot - and also call your ILEC (your current local phone carrier) and your current long distance carrier to get their quotes.