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Hi all need your advice.
I've been in contact with Orange for a couple of weeks now and finaly they are alowing me to cancel my contract with them 14 months remaining.
Reason being they are unable to provide me with the service im paying for.
So I'm happy that they are going to cancel my remaining contract but they are telling me that I can not keep my number.
I've had this number for over 10years and been on different providers in that time, Are they within there rights to with hold it from me and if they aren't what do I need to do to keep it
As they are saying I cant have my PUK number to take it with me.
I was under the impression it was my number
Also they want the phone back now this was free with the contract that I took out with carphone warehouse do I have to give it back? If I do then I do its not really a problem but it would of been nice to keep it.
Its just my number I want to keep really.
Most "free" phones are only free if you stay with the company for the duration of the contract. I think a small amount is added to each bill to pay for it. As for not allowing you to keep your number I don't think that should be legal. Try going with a different company and you should get the option to switch and keep the same number, let the companies bicker it out.
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide using XDA App
If the number is already on another line and there is early termination in the works then you wont be getting it back. A second carrier cannot claim a number in an active contract. You're kinda screwed sadly.
z33dev33l said:
If the number is already on another line and there is early termination in the works then you wont be getting it back. A second carrier cannot claim a number in an active contract. You're kinda screwed sadly.
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Actually - it is against the law for them NOT to transfer your number. Since they already confirmed you could cancel your contract early, you're all set. If that was not the case, then you would have to pay an early termination fee (or whatever your contractual agreement is). Just make sure you get your current number "ported" to the new carrier before your contract officially ends.
This is directly from about.com:
"Question: Number Portability: Can I Transfer My Cell Phone Number?
Answer: Yes. In the United States, wireless local number portability (WLNP) is a legally mandated service that allows the transfer of a cell phone number from one carrier to another.
History
Number portability for landline phone numbers existed before it did for wireless numbers. In July 2002, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) set a Nov. 2003 deadline for WLNP to take effect. Verizon Wireless resisted.
The FCC activated WLNP in Nov. 2003 in the top 100 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), which are the major cities in the U.S. In May 2004, the FCC made the service live in the rest of the U.S.
The FCC also made it so a landline number can be transferred to a cell phone carrier.
Overcoming Hurdles
Wireless local number portability has come a long way in the U.S. Transferring your cell phone number from one carrier to another used to be more complicated than it is today.
The switch also used to take longer than it does now. While the process of transferring (or porting) a number from one carrier to another initially took weeks, the FCC eventually mandated that the transfer take place within four business days.
Some cell phone carriers (such as Verizon Wireless) used this four-day window to attempt to convince customers not to switch. In response, the FCC in May 2009 changed the number portability requirement to one business day.
How to Initiate a Transfer
As of late 2009, the process has become very fast and painless. When you activate new service with a cell phone carrier, they’ll often ask if you’d like to transfer your existing number from another carrier. Transferring your phone number is free.
If they don’t ask and you do want your previous number ported over, make sure to let your new carrier know before you’re assigned a number there. If you request a phone number transfer, they’re required by law to grant it.
It’s very important not to cancel your current cell phone service until you have successfully transferred the old number to your new carrier. If you cancel at your previous carrier before establishing new service elsewhere, the number you’re trying to save will be lost.
To achieve a valid WLNP transfer, the cell phone carrier you’re switching to must offer local service in the same area as your existing phone number. Some carriers have online tools to immediately check your transfer eligibility (such as this AT&T tool).
Before You Transfer, Check Your Contract
While your previous cell phone carrier isn’t legally allowed to refuse a valid transfer request, you may still be bound to a service contract there.
If that’s the case, you’ll either have to wait until your contract expires or pay an early termination fee. If you’re with a prepaid wireless carrier without a contract or if you’re no longer under contract, you’re in the clear to initiate a transfer. "
is this orange uk? i've just posted something myself asking about getting out of a contract with them as the service is not what i pay for (poor signal, slow and non-existent 3g).
Thanks for the replies there some good info there just not sure how much of it is the same here in the UK but it give me somewhere to start.
Guess ill be going in to a phone shop tomorrow and see what they say
And yes I'm on Orange UK
If any one knows any thing else of use please let me know like I said before I'm not bothered about the phone I kinda figured they would want it back.
As for the number it was originaly issued by vodafone
talk to another carrier about it, sure they can help
Pizzalover83 said:
talk to another carrier about it, sure they can help
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No they can't.
In the UK, a network cannot transfer a number across without a PAC - Port Authorisation Code.
If the network that currently carries the number refuses to issue the code, there's precisely nothing that any other network can do.
@theOP: if memory serves, the rules about number porting say that a network cannot refuse to issue a PAC if the appropriate fees have been paid but since they are cancelling your contract at a loss to themselves, I think that gives them the right to refuse to issue one.
You could try contacting Ofcom but I'd be surprised if you heard anything back.
Just a quick up date I called Orange retentions yesterday and said I need my PUK number because I'm retuning my phone to them now that I've received the packet to return it.
The guy said yep thats fine ill sort it out now for you I said to him whats the easiest thing to do go but a Orange pay as you go for you to transfer the number to?
He said if I want to do that he will send me a sim in the post and once I rececive it call this number and we can do that for you over the phone
And then put my phone in the post.
So sorted I'm happy I get to keep my number
Ive took 3 years contract with telus, i hope i wont regret it.
I use Google Voice on a daily basis for working, getting all my phone calls forwarded, keeping voice & missed records, etc. SO I decided if I ever want to change service one day from AT&T to someone else which I have in the past I would port my number over to Google Voice. So I called AT&T to talk & find what fees I would incur. I spoke with a voice rep and a tech rep. Both said I could not port my phone number in anyway to another carrier without incurring a ETF of $305. I said I dont want to kill my service with AT&T but they said "I could not have the best of both worlds". Now I was really nice to let them know what I would like to do by keeping there service and porting my number.
Anyone got any ideas of whom I can speak with besides adding another line and not incurring a ETF?
You cannot port to another carrier while under contract without incurring the ETF. If your contract expires, without you making any changes that would renew it (changing your plan, for one, I think some carriers even re-up if you get a new phone) and you're on month-to-month, then you're free to port without any termination fees.
That's how I did it when I came from Verizon and Quest (home phone, no contract anyway) to AT&T.
mikerowes69 said:
I use Google Voice on a daily basis for working, getting all my phone calls forwarded, keeping voice & missed records, etc. SO I decided if I ever want to change service one day from AT&T to someone else which I have in the past I would port my number over to Google Voice. So I called AT&T to talk & find what fees I would incur. I spoke with a voice rep and a tech rep. Both said I could not port my phone number in anyway to another carrier without incurring a ETF of $305. I said I dont want to kill my service with AT&T but they said "I could not have the best of both worlds". Now I was really nice to let them know what I would like to do by keeping there service and porting my number.
Anyone got any ideas of whom I can speak with besides adding another line and not incurring a ETF?
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When I left Sprint, I forgot that none of the other carriers had Google Voice integration, and ported my number over to AT&T instead of Google Voice. Huge mistake. Unfortunately, I can tell you that I tried every angle I could think of to get AT&T to let me port my number out while maintaining my contract and there is just no way that they can do it. If you port your number out, you will incur the ETF. I must have spoken to every level of billing and technical service they have; all very nice, and though few understood what I wanted to do or what Google Voice is they all really did try in earnest to find a good solution for me, and sadly they all came to the same conclusion.
I've just kind of settled for waiting until my contract is up and then porting my number out. My fear at that point will be that I will have to sign a new contract to get another number from them, which will suck.
MaxCarnage said:
When I left Sprint, I forgot that none of the other carriers had Google Voice integration, and ported my number over to AT&T instead of Google Voice. Huge mistake. Unfortunately, I can tell you that I tried every angle I could think of to get AT&T to let me port my number out while maintaining my contract and there is just no way that they can do it. If you port your number out, you will incur the ETF. I must have spoken to every level of billing and technical service they have; all very nice, and though few understood what I wanted to do or what Google Voice is they all really did try in earnest to find a good solution for me, and sadly they all came to the same conclusion.
I've just kind of settled for waiting until my contract is up and then porting my number out. My fear at that point will be that I will have to sign a new contract to get another number from them, which will suck.
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My notion is now I believe that whomever is with Verizon or AT&T will incur shortly NEW higher fees based off the new plans they are going to implement. I do not have multiple devices or use alot of data so their new plans will not work for me. Straight Talk or some other low cost carrier might. However I just signed up in March so I am not looking to change my plans yet or until the economy starts to get worse. Either way I am stuck till my contract runs out or pay the $305. http://www.yahoo.com/_ylt=AqlTQl9rp7Z2.oyZbfF69wybvZx4;_ylu=X3oDMTRtY2hwdWkyBGEDTmV3IEZyb250IE9wZW5zIGluIFdpcmVsZXNzIEJhdHRsZQRjY29kZQNwemJ1YWxsY2FoNQRjcG9zAzgEZwNpZC0yMzY3NjQ4BGludGwDdXMEbWNvZGUDcHpidWFsbGNhaDUEbXBvcwMwBHBrZ3QDMgRwb3MDMQRzZWMDdGQtZmluBHNsawN0aXRsZQR0ZXN0AzUyNg--/SIG=132qrou5f/EXP=1339683498/**http://finance.yahoo.com/news/front-opens-wireless-battle-040100608.html?l=1
mikerowes69 said:
My notion is now I believe that whomever is with Verizon or AT&T will incur shortly NEW higher fees based off the new plans they are going to implement. I do not have multiple devices or use alot of data so their new plans will not work for me. Straight Talk or some other low cost carrier might. However I just signed up in March so I am not looking to change my plans yet or until the economy starts to get worse. Either way I am stuck till my contract runs out or pay the $305. http://www.yahoo.com/_ylt=AqlTQl9rp7Z2.oyZbfF69wybvZx4;_ylu=X3oDMTRtY2hwdWkyBGEDTmV3IEZyb250IE9wZW5zIGluIFdpcmVsZXNzIEJhdHRsZQRjY29kZQNwemJ1YWxsY2FoNQRjcG9zAzgEZwNpZC0yMzY3NjQ4BGludGwDdXMEbWNvZGUDcHpidWFsbGNhaDUEbXBvcwMwBHBrZ3QDMgRwb3MDMQRzZWMDdGQtZmluBHNsawN0aXRsZQR0ZXN0AzUyNg--/SIG=132qrou5f/EXP=1339683498/**http://finance.yahoo.com/news/front-opens-wireless-battle-040100608.html?l=1
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If your plan costs change you can always try to get out your contract. We'll have to wait and see what the future holds.
Interesting. It looks like a number port in or out kills the line and starts a new one as I experienced when I ported my google voice number to ATT. I was in contract and remained in contract without an ETF, but billing showed it as a line termination and a new line start with the remaining months
I suspect the system isn't set to allow it by design. Maybe if you go high enough you can find someone in corporate who can waive/credit the ETF?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA
Please use the Q&A forum. Moved to Q&A
Cheers
Hi,
I am considering buying one of two used Galaxy Notes off craigslist for use with a T-Mobile SIM. One is AT&T and one is an international one.
From some of the research I've done, if buying the ATT one, I should run the IMEI by ATT to make sure it's clean, then make the seller sign a document stating that he's transferring ownership of the phone and IMEI to me to prevent him from reporting it stolen in the future, resulting in the blacklisting my IMEI, right? Also, how do I confirm he's the original owner? Will running the IMEI by ATT tell me that info?
Is it safer to pay more and go with a used international one? In other words do carriers tend to ever blacklist IMEIs of phones not sold by them?
Thanks
Good luck getting some random person from Craigslist to sign that kind of thing (which would have tenuous legal bearing, anyway).
I prefer to buy on eBay so that instead of having to deal with the police / legal system, eBay will handle it if they state something false about what they're selling.
Even if you run the IMEI by ATT, it can take some time for it to have entered their database - and that's assuming the seller already reported it stolen or defaulted on it. Most people trying to do that are smart enough to wait until you have the working phone, then report it - that way your phone works for a while and by the time it doesn't - what... you have a piece of paper they signed ? That's great, but then you have to either get the phone company to believe you or enter a legal dispute with this seller - with a document that's likely not notarized, from a person you probably have no idea where they can even be found - who might have given you a fake name and ID.
Plenty of people take the chance and it turns out okay. Some get burned - taking the chance is up to you. I prefer to go through eBay or a friend - because I know where friends live and generally they're actually friends and don't want to screw me over.
Hi Pennycake,
Thank you for taking the time to reply. The signed document was a suggestion I received from an ATT rep, who said it would show I was the owner and she would unblacklist it for me, and worst case scenario I have something instead of nothing if police are involved. Also both sellers have agreed to sign the documents, but thanks for the good luck
So again, my original questions: how do I identify the original owner of a phone sold by ATT, and secondly, do carriers ever blacklist IMEIs of international phones not sold by them?
Thanks in advance
I'm not sure if ATT and T-Mobile use the same company to manage blacklisting - that it's actually the same list (ie - if you're removed from the ATT list, will you be removed from T-Mobile's list or would they need to do it separately) . So you might have to convince T-Mobile reps - who by and large aren't that well (or at all) trained about the blacklist. I've never dealt with ATT reps, but they sound a whole lot better than the ones at T-Mobile when it comes to the IMEI blacklist (I've had great customer service from T-Mobile, but their training concerning the IMEI blacklist was sub-par, at least when I was on the market a few months ago).
I don't think T-Mobile will personally blacklist international phones. I know that USA carriers are starting to work together more and more - but I don't know about international.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
The largest GSM carriers in America, T-Mobile and AT&T, are collaborating on efforts in maintaining a national IMEI blacklist for GSM phones to help stop thefts, and began implementing policy beginning last month. This is why I am extra cautious as I have never been over the purchase of a used GSM phone. Which led me to a new question I would never have thought to ask, which was, again, "Do US carriers blacklist IMEIs of international phones not sold by them?"
So an example is if an ATT customer activated an int'l phone sold by Samsung, not ATT, and defaulted on payments. The relevancy of this, if the IMEI was blacklisted, would be that T-Mobile would not activate the phone. Carriers have had incentive to blacklist phones sold by themselves to protect against their investment in subsidizing the phones, but I am unclear on phones not sold by them. Anyone with little or great information would be very helpful in posting.
Thanks
Edit: I feel I may have been unclear, but this is the question I'm mainly trying to get answered: "Do US carriers blacklist IMEIs of international phones not sold by them?" I'm not seeking advice on how to be unblacklisted if my phone is reported stolen or where I should buy my phones from, I am seeking those with experience buying international phones, such as an unlocked iPhone from an Apple Store, for instance, and have defaulted on payments. These phones would never be blacklisted for being reported stolen as they weren't sold by carriers, but have the potential to be blacklisted for a bad account. If the potential is not there then this would be the path I would choose from here into the future when purchasing used GSM phones. If the potential is there then there would be no added benefit of choosing int'l over carrier-sold used phones. Thanks again and I apologize for any ambiguity
I know that, the problem is that if ATT and T-Mobile aren't using the same IMEI blacklist, they would have to each remove the number individually. They could maintain a national list, but still input those values into separate systems.
I'm not really sure where you're going with the example of, "So an example is if an ATT customer activated an int'l phone sold by Samsung, not ATT, and defaulted on payments. The relevancy of this, if the IMEI was blacklisted, would be that T-Mobile would not activate the phone."
Why would they blacklist that phone ? That phone must have already been paid for, to Samsung. If you buy an international phone outright, there shouldn't be any "payments" to default on - sure, maybe you bought it with a credit card, but in that case it was still fully paid for - and if you stop paying the card, they're going to send you to collections and trash your credit score. The phone is your property even if you stop paying for the service it's connected to. If they ARE doing this, it strikes me a slightly illegal unless you sign away property rights under contract or something.
I'd be more worried about the hypothetical international phone's IMEI being reported stolen - since it looks like the FCC efforts are concerned primarily with theft, not with where the phone was purchased - like if you report a car stolen. Their efforts are motivated by preventing phone theft and related crimes - not on carrier subsidies or carriers making money (because, really, carriers stand to lose money by blocking stolen phones).
"T-Mobile USA prevents use of stolen devices internal to its network, and has established connectivity to the GSMA Global IMEI database that is ready for use by other carriers as recommended in the GSMA-NA Report (entitled “Analysis and Recommendations for Stolen Mobile Device Issue in the United States”), and as set forth in the Industry/FCC Agreement"
So I imagine that in the future, if not already, T-Mobile will have the capacity to block stolen international phones.
So, I agree - there's probably no added benefit since IMEI blacklists are on the path to converge with the focus on theft as the goal, not subsidy.
They are using the same blacklist. When they run the IMEI and it's on the list shared by both companies, they don't activate the phone.
Can anyone else please chime in with knowledge and experience with international phones? Thank you much.
Is it possible to unlock it to use work multiple carriers? I have Sprint but also service with Metro and I'd like to use this phone to go back and forth with. It's not paid off yet so Sprint won't unlock it, I think.
Nobody?
Historically they aren't going to unlock.
You could check if anyone can unlock on eBay or unlocking websites. It's gonna cost money.
If you're under contract TMobile or ATT may pay it off. But you'll be under a new contract.
Those are some options.
I don't mind paying. It's Sprint. I still plan to use spring but I need to use Metro when it go out to work because Sprint sucks in my area.
So see if third party sellers can unlock. But Sprint may still relock the device.
As far as I remember, nobody can unlock Sprint. Sprint DOES unlock their devices, they just make it harder to. You have to call Customer Services, let them know, as long as your account are in good standing, they might unlock it.
Here is their policy on that regard:
Sprint Postpaid Devices
Sprint will unlock a device from Sprint's network under the following circumstances:
The device is SIM Unlock capable
The device must be or have been active on the Sprint network for a minimum of 50 days
Any associated Service Agreement (or any Minimum Service Term, where applicable), Installment Billing Agreement, or Lease Agreement has been fulfilled including, but not limited to, payment in full of any applicable: 1) early termination fees, 2) accelerated installment or lease payments, and/or 3) end-of-lease purchase options. Because leased devices are not owned by the user, the end of lease purchase option must be exercised and paid in full before the SIM unlock is completed.
The associated account is in good standing
The device has not been reported as lost or stolen, associated with fraudulent activity, or otherwise flagged as ineligible to be unlocked
For SIM unlock-capable devices (generally most devices launched after February 2015), Sprint will automatically unlock postpaid devices when they becomes eligible.
You can always ask and see if they'll help you out?
only a third party service can help. I used wejustunlock dot com to unlock my old galaxy s9 and it still run fine.
The Firmware on the Sprint Note 10 has to be an older one in order for it to be unlockable by most sites or services. If its got the latest firmware installed on it already your in for a waiting period from my experience fighting the same battle!
They are getting ready to shut down their 3G towers, so all old devices must be purged. So they sent me some Samsung phone for free, then shut off my 1+6. WTF? The girl insisted that "the list" is always right, even though this phone has been LTE for years.
It's not just being LTE capable, it also needs to be VoLTE capable, which the 6 is, but is incorrectly listed on their blacklist. I've seen reddit threads that talk of AT&T customers taking the issue up with tech support and they've been able to whitelist their individual phone (reportedly).
I'm currently running my 6 with VoLTE enabled on Consumer Cellular (MVNO) using AT&T so am hoping that the blacklist is not enforced via IMEI. Come February I'll find out.
AT&T customer support doesn't have a clue....escalate!
Switch to T-Mobile. It is the ONLY way. AT&T don't care. I filed an FCC complaint and even that didn't really work unless you are willing to hire a lawyer.
Having the same experience. Spent hours on the phone with them. They actually shiped me some $75 replacment phone. Talked to over 20 people from AT&T all were clueless and gave me different answers. Some said my phone would work, others said it wouldn't.
Finnally they actually put a note on my account that my Oneplus 6 would still work, so if it doesn't work I'll hvae it in writing and I'll ask them for an account credit of $800 (the cost of my oneplus)
I had the same happen to me with ATT sending me a Galaxy S9 refurb.
I explained to customer service and also escalated up to the manager who basically was useless and said we can't do anything to whitelist the device. It basically comes down to the idiots at ATT not having tested the OP6 and so they just blacklisted all IMEIs associated with OP6.
I even swapped out my SIM card with another iphone SE which has VoLTE and the VoLTE lit up on my phone for a few seconds before I lost service completely as stupid ATT automatically blacklisted the SIM and the device claiming fraudulent activity and I had to spend another half hour getting my service restored on both the phones but still no VoLTE on the OP6 because it is ATT.
ATT is absolutely the crappiest customer centric company.
Nearly switched to TMo before the hacking news broke so waiting a bit before switching out of ATT after more than 15 years of service with them.
ATT enabled VOLTE on my phone a few weeks ago without me even asking for it.
They had somehow suspended my number and completely booted my phone off the network -- I took it to an ATT store, they worked their magic and within 5 minutes it was back online _with_ VOLTE!
The easiest way is to change imei i just changed my device imei for a supported imei by att and it works like a charm
If the 6 won't work why do they have to block it? Any why put a hold on the phone number not the imei or sim? Picked up a TMobile sim and it works great.