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Thread: Cell Phone Number Locking by 3 Major Carriers

  1. #1
    Featured Member Devastating Divyne's Avatar
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    Default Cell Phone Number Locking by 3 Major Carriers

    I heard about this from the people at the local Sprint store, but saw it this morning on the news that AT&T Wireless, Verizon, and Cingular are upgrading their systems and blocking the portability of cell phone numbers on their systems claiming that allowing customers to take their number to another provider is causing them to lose money.

    What they are doing is basically tying up the system, or causing it to loop and resist programming into a new phone on a different carrier and so far its been working. It worked well enough for people to start catching on to it and for it to start being noticed. Verizon already had a case it brought before the FCC dismissed on the same issue and after the dismissal "bugs" and "technical difficulties" have prevented the successful transfer of their numbers to other carriers.

    I am no longer surprised by many of the things that go on in business, but the fact that the companies haven't denied it and have simply said causing them to do so would lose money was a bit of a shocker. They basically just said "screw the FCC". I'm waiting to see how this is going to turn out, and already Verizon is lobbying heavily to have the law changed. I guess big business is still big business. Has anyone had any problems getting their number switched to another carrier?
    "Come what may although I often say realities come from dreams, but approach all lies with open eyes because NOthing in this world is EVER ALL it seems."

  2. #2
    Sitri
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    Default Re:Cell Phone Number Locking by 3 Major Carriers

    They have had years to prepare for this federal law requirement. Just another example of big ass company attitude.

    Here in Florida, AT&T was bill customers ... even other carriers customers for services they didn't receive. When the customer called, they were told they had to convert to AT&T.

    Look out, Voice Over IP. Basically internet calling will kick their ass.

    At least take some revenue out of their pocket.

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    Default Re:Cell Phone Number Locking by 3 Major Carriers

    I just had my home number switched to a cell, and although it took two months to go through, it did happen. But this was a switch from Bell to ATT. I haven't tried to switch a cell number yet. My guess is that they won't be successful. The FCC doesn't like to be messed with.

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    God/dess AinNY's Avatar
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    Default Re:Cell Phone Number Locking by 3 Major Carriers

    Thats why i stick with NEXTEL

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    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re:Cell Phone Number Locking by 3 Major Carriers

    I'm waiting to see how this is going to turn out, and already Verizon is lobbying heavily to have the law changed. I guess big business is still big business.
    Well, so far at least, the wireless companies haven't hit up the US Federal Gov't for bailout money and loan guarantees the way the airlines have. There's nothing like knowing that my tax money is going to support the same airline that arbitrarily cancelled my scheduled flight home over the weekend because it was less than 1/2 full, making me wait for hours and eventually ride in a plane so full there wasn't room for carry-on bags!

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    God/dess montythegeek's Avatar
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    Default Re:Cell Phone Number Locking by 3 Major Carriers

    Justt sue them in small claims court for malicious destruction of property for triple damages

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    God/dess Gynger's Avatar
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    Default Re:Cell Phone Number Locking by 3 Major Carriers

    I have sprint. I hate them. F*ckers.


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    Featured Member NikkiD's Avatar
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    Default Re:Cell Phone Number Locking by 3 Major Carriers

    I have Verizon. I hate them. F*ckers.

    Sorry to steal your words, Gynger, but thats my exact thought of verizon, they are bastards!


  9. #9
    Featured Member Devastating Divyne's Avatar
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    Default Re:Cell Phone Number Locking by 3 Major Carriers

    I have sprint and I hate/ love them. The service is great and the customer service is the worst in the communications industry. Don't get mad and try to end your service. Sprint will offer you everything in the world to try to keep you, but if you tell them you want it off now they'll transfer you around to as many call centers as they can until you hang up and you'll never get timely service off of *2 either.

    But, in po dunk nowhere midMO my phone always worked. In most metro areas and the rural areas in between sprint will give you service with no roam, but Oklahoma is the exception to all of that cause you will get between 0-3% service in the whole state. It's really a toss up as to how much crap you have time to deal with.

    More importantly, my contract expired with them in November, I still decided to continue the service (I've had it since high school) and its the best way to go. Anytime they piss me off I can end it and not owe anything. And they keep giving me free stuff to try to get me to sign a new contract or at least hang around.
    "Come what may although I often say realities come from dreams, but approach all lies with open eyes because NOthing in this world is EVER ALL it seems."

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