Mar 9, 2023
What is Porting?
And how long does it take?
If you’re like a lot of people, you’ve had the same phone number for years. Your entire family has it. Your friends and co-workers have it. It’s in your email signature and quite possibly available on some or many of your social media accounts. You and your existing phone number are basically attached at the hip and changing it just because you’re switching wireless service providers is not an option.
We get it. And guess what? You can absolutely keep your existing number when you switch providers. The process of moving an existing number to a new carrier is called porting or phone number porting. Here’s all you need to know about how phone number porting work and what to expect.
What is porting and how long does it take?
Generally, phone number porting or moving a cell phone number from one carrier to another takes between 5-7 business days but, sometimes, the phone number porting process can take companies as long as a month.
About the phone number porting process
The porting process depends upon a variety of factors including the speed with which wireless providers port numbers, what country your number is based in, and whether or not all the documents included in the port order are correct. It also depends on how long it takes your wireless company to release your phone number. So if your current carrier is slow, the port-in will take longer. If your phone number port is taking far too long, reach out to your provider. Here are the average times it takes some cell phone providers to transfer a number:
AT&T: 3-5 days
Verizon: 4-24 hrs
T-Mobile: 10 minutes to 24 hrs
If you have questions or require assistance, our friendly, U.S.-based customer service team is here to help! Take it from Karen Hennes who left this 5-star review on Trustpilot:
“I had an actual number to call, was quickly sent to a person, and I did not wait on hold long. Helpful customer representative, satisfied all questions and helped me get my phone numbers ported.”
To help speed the port-in process:
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Alert your current carrier that you will be moving your phone number to a new phone service and see if you have to absorb any early termination fees or pay any outstanding balance. You can’t make your carrier be responsive and speed things along, but a patient and professional approach can certainly help.
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Confirm that all the information your carrier and new provider have is correct and consistent, including your full name, address, zip code, telephone number, and account number. Missing or incorrect information will slow down the process.
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When changing your phone service to a new provider, if your telephone number has features like call forwarding or voicemail, contact your current and new provider to see if deleting call forwarding, etc., will help to speed up the porting process.
Why it still could take time for wireless service providers to port in a number
You’d think that in this day and age porting would be a simple process. But sometimes it just isn’t. Here are several factors things that could be holding up your porting process.
Missing documentation
Ask both your existing and new cell phone provider what documentation they require to transfer your number. These items can include:
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A Letter of Authorization (LOA): this is a standard, industry form that gives your new carrier permission to port in your number.
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Your Customer Service Record (CSR): Your current carrier provides these records to your new carrier in order to confirm your full name, address, and billing address.
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A Copy of a Bill (CoB): This is simply a copy of a bill you have received from your current carrier that proves to your new carrier that you own the phone number in question.
Your current carrier is dragging its feet
No business wants to lose customers and sometimes your current wireless network provider may drag its feet simply because they don’t want to lose you as a customer.
Your number port-in request is rejected
This is why it’s extremely important to make sure all of your information is correct. A misspelled name, incorrect billing phone number or mailing address, incorrect account number, literally any piece of information that is incorrect will cause the port-in request to be rejected. Double check every detail.
How long does it take to switch your current phone number(s) to Life Wireless?
We will move your number to Life Wireless as fast as possible. The porting process usually moves quickly, but it can take between 1-5 days. Once your number is ready to use on our network, your service will activate.
Now that you know a lot more about transferring your phone number from one cell phone carrier to another, and how Life Wireless works quickly to expedite the process, here are answers to other questions you might have about switching to Life Wireless!
What our customers are saying:
"Life Wireless has been great. I have used it so many times for appointments and finding the proper care providers for my needs as well as for my family's needs. Thank you so much Life Wireless!" Rebecca L., KY
What is Life Wireless?
Life Wireless offers government subsidized free cellular service to qualifying individuals and families through the Affordable Connectivity Program*. And, if you’re unemployed or participate in a government benefit program such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, or WIC, you already qualify for this federally funded free cellular service. Take a few minutes to complete the Life Wireless application and enjoy:
- Unlimited Nationwide Calling
- Unlimited Text Messaging*
- Call Waiting
- Three-way calling
- Voicemail
- Caller ID service
- No roaming charges
- No charge for domestic long distance calls
- Free 911 Service
- Affordable Recharge Plans
- You can bring your phone
- You can keep your phone number
*Unlimited Text Messaging does not include MMS picture messaging. The amount of picture messaging varies by plan.
Have questions about applying for Life Wireless?
Our friendly customer service team is happy to help! You can reach them by phone at 1-888-543-3620, or by email at [email protected].
*What is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)?
As we mentioned above, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a government benefit program operated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that provides discounts on monthly broadband Internet access service. ACP benefits may be obtained from any participating provider of your choice including Life Wireless. Only one member of a household can participate in the program and the service cannot be transferred to another family member or individual.
Because many families struggle to afford cell phones and Internet access, both of which are vital to daily life, the Federal Government offers ACP and another program called Lifeline. Using both doubles your connectivity and enables you as a parent or guardian to stay connected to doctors, employers, family and friends, and your student’s school.
What is “Lifeline”?
Lifeline is a federal program created to help qualified households pay for connectivity services such as wireless and internet plans. As with the Affordable Connectivity Program, only one member of a household can participate in the program and the service cannot be transferred to another family member or individual.
Examples of one household:
- A married couple that lives together
- A parent/guardian and child who live together
- An adult who lives with friends or family who financially support him/her
Each of these are one household and must share one benefit.
Examples of more than one household:
- Four roommates who live together but do not share money are four households. They can have one benefit each, for a total of four benefits.
- 30 seniors who live in an assisted-living home are 30 households. They can have one benefit each, for a total of 30 total benefits.
Each state has different eligibility requirements such as receiving government assistance or having a household income that is at or below the federal poverty level for the state in which you reside.
In general though, you are qualified to receive Lifeline if you participate in any of the programs listed here:
- Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicaid (not Medicare)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Section 8 Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veteran's Pension or Survivor's Pension Benefit
Additionally, if you are a resident of a Federally-recognized Tribal land, you may qualify under the following programs:
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Tribally Administered TANF
- Head Start (if you meet the income-qualifying standards)
Qualify for Lifeline, and your cell service is free
Even if you’re paying just $20 a month for cell service, wouldn’t it be great to have that $240 to spend on groceries? If you apply for Lifeline and are approved, you’ll receive:
- FREE Unlimited Talk & Text
- FREE 15GB Data (+ more data for California residents)
- FREE Smartphone (or bring your own)
Pair Lifeline with the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and DOUBLE your connectivity
If you’re approved for Lifeline and you sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), you get two sources of free talk, text, and unlimited data that you can split between two phones. That means free cell service for you and free cell service for someone you love. Like your student. This is a terrific opportunity to provide him or her with talk, text, unlimited data, the ability to stay in touch with you, and access to the biggest library in the world: the internet.
Of course you don’t have to split the service between two phones, you can keep it all on one. But it’s a wonderful option if your spouse, student or relative needs a phone but has been unable to get one due to the expense.
Whichever option you choose – to keep the data on one phone or split it between two – Life Wireless will make sure you receive the free talk, text, and unlimited data to help you stay connected.
Option 1: Combine Your Data
Activate Lifeline and ACP on the same device and receive unlimited talk, text, and data, plus 5GB of mobile hotspot.
Option 2: Split Your Data
Split your data between two phones or supported devices and you’ll have one device with ACP’s free talk, text, and 6GB of data and a second device with Lifeline’s talk, text, and 4.5GB of data (6GB of data in California).
What our customers are saying:
“Without this phone I would be lost. It has helped me stay in contact with my daughter’s specialist. I schedule her appointments and they can call back if there are any complications with her results. Thank you, Life Wireless.” Amanda Z., PA
More about Life Wireless
Life Wireless service is a prepaid service offered to those eligible for ACP discount benefits and those eligible for Lifeline benefits. To maintain your service and benefits, you need to:
- activate your service by calling someone,
- initiating data usage (by going on Facebook, for example), or
- by responding to instructions from Life Wireless to activate the service.
To keep your account active, you need to use the service at least once during any 30-day period by:
- calling someone,
- answering a call from someone other than Life Wireless,
- sending a text message,
- using cellular data (again, by going on Facebook or Amazon, for example),
- purchasing additional service from Life Wireless,
- or by responding to a direct contact from Life Wireless confirming that you want to continue receiving service from Life Wireless.
Should your service goes unused for 30 days, you will no longer be eligible for Lifeline benefits and your service may be suspended (allowing only 911 calls and calls to the Life Wireless's customer care center), and subject to a 15-day cure period during which you must use the service (as described above) in order to fully re-activate your service, keep your telephone number and remain enrolled in the ACP.
For questions about Life Wireless, visit our Contact Us page here. To enroll now, use the Life Wireless Online Enrollment form.
Quick facts about Life Wireless:
You can add more minutes and data
You can purchase additional minutes or data one of the following ways:
- Go to www.LifeWireless.com and click "Add Minutes/Data"
- If you have a smart phone, go to your MyLifeWireless app and click "Add Minutes".
- Call Customer Service at 1-888-543-3620, or by dialing 611 on your Life Wireless phone.
- You can also go to any Moneygram location and use Receive Code: 7924
You can track your minutes
Your minutes replenish each month on your anniversary date before end of the day. For example if you signed up and received your minutes on the 12th of the month, your minutes will replenish every month on the 12th of the month.
You can check your account balance the following ways:
- Go to www.LifeWireless.com and click "My Account"
- Go to your MyLifeWireless app on your phone, and click "Check Balance"
- Call Customer Service at 1-888-543-3620, or by dialing 611 on your Life Wireless phone.
You can keep your current phone number!
If your application is approved, you have the option to keep your current phone number.
Once you receive your Life Wireless phone in the mail, call Life Wireless Customer Service at 1-888-543-3620 and a representative will assist you in keeping your current number. Make sure that you don't call from your Lifeline phone and have your account number and password from your previous carrier handy.
What our customers are saying:
"Life Wireless has been great. I have used it so many times for appointments and Lfinding the proper care providers for my needs as well as for my family's needs. Thank you so much Life Wireless!" Rebecca L., KY
“Without this phone I would be lost. It has helped me stay in contact with my daughter’s specialist. I schedule her appointments and they can call back if there are any complications with her results. Thank you, Life Wireless.” Amanda Z., PA
“I've been looking for apartments, doctor’s offices, and school phone numbers, and my data provided has been a tremendous help in gaining access to this information. I'm very grateful for this service.” Maria R. AZ
Apply for free cellular service with Life Wireless now. You’ll be glad you did.
Posted 1 year ago