Cell phone number regulations?
 

Did the new regulation on cell phone numbers ever go through saying that you can keep your phone number even if you switch carriers? I heard that it was going to happen September 1, but I haven't heard much about it in quite a while.

Anyone know anything?

not yet. it's supposed to take effect in November from what I remember off the top of my head. Portable numbers, they've been fighting it for years, hopefully it will stay the course and not get derailed.

Beginning of November is correct. Can't wait.. Its the only reason I've stuck with Sprint so long -- so I can take my number with me to another provider.

Is it really that big a deal for anyone that doesn't use their phone for business? Hell, I like the fact that I can switch my number to a new area code any time I want with Sprint, it's a huge advantage.

Verizon is the big company supporting this legislation ... I wonder if that could be because everyone switches to them after realizing that Verizon's network is the only one wiht a decent service area :)

Can't wait to get out of my Sprint contract. I'm kind of going to miss having nights and weekends start at 8 instead of 9, but I'll have service.

Which is exactly why I'm waiting till November to get a cell.

I wanted to look for a new service, but had to switch numbers. It is such a pain in the ass. Not like many people call me, but still. Its nice to have the same number.

What I do whenever I switch numbers is turn my old phone off and change the voicemail on it to say "Hello, this is Eric, but I no longer use this number, please call xxx-xxxx. Thanks" Seems to work well...

sure, but that doesn't work well for stationary, calling cards, and other printed materials...

only my wife calls my cellphone.. occassionally i get a business call on it... but those people have my number taped to their computers and servers. Would suck to lose potential business because I can't take the number with me...

AT&T has just a few more months.

Mine IS for business, along with about 200 other phones we have here at our company.

I think the official date it goes into effect is November 24th. At that time, I'm headin' to Cingular.

I am counting down the days till I can dump AT&T and get verizon. Hopefully verizon doesn't screw us all with some lame plan or something when this new legislation starts.

Verizon is actually for the idea, so I wouldn't be too worried about them being lame-o's when you want to switch.

I think that's b/c Verizon wants to offer this service, but they don't want to be the only ones. Either way, I'm happy, because Sprint has 2 months to get their shit together or I'm going elsewhere.

How about being able to take your land line phone number and switch it to cell? I think you will be able to do it one of these ways but not vice versa