Will I be able to keep my current Verizon cell phone number when I switch to

[jbbiunno]

AT&T/Cingular for the iPhone? I am currently a Verizon (NYSE: VZ) wireless customer and my contract isn't over until late late this year. However, I will be in line on Day 1 purchasing an Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) iPhone from AT&T/Cingular. I want to keep my primary cell phone number (the one I have with Verizon now) because I have had it for approx. 4 years. However, I don't plan on cancelling my Verizon cell phone contract now because the cancellation fee is NUTS.

So is there anyway I can switch over my current Verizon cell phone number to my iPhone, and get a new temporary cell number for my Verizon phone till my contract runs out later this year?

[Amanda S]

You have kind of a tricky situation there. I would think you would NOT be able to port your current number over to Cingular unless you ended the contract with Verizon. You will need to contact their Customer Service to verify though.

[?AUDREY?]

yes

[Junior]

We're in the exact same situation as you!

We contacted Cingular , they have a 1 month change/upgrade the phone program. So we will make the switch 1 month before the most probable release date for the iPhone.

Verizon is playing hard ball, We will move numbers as soon as possible, and then go back to Verizon (NYSE: VZ) and tell them to assign a new number or cancel for free. I don't know if we will get one, but I am not prepared to write them a big check... especially when we are leaving.


Good luck!

You asked a couple questions, so the answers are yes, and I hope so.

[hinesizzle]

No Verizon (NYSE: VZ) isn't going to port your number out without paying them the termination of contract they will if your contract runs out

Basically they aren't going to release it unless they get paid

What I would do is go ahead and cancel the Verizon now, Get cingular now get a cheap temp. phone and wait for the iPhone

It's going to be a madhouse when the iPhone comes out and you don't want to be there worrying about setting up a contract and all this other stuff you just want to get the phone and get out

[lserfoss]

The truth is unless you want to pay the Early term. fee, you are basically up the river without a paddle. Vzw will not release the number unless you are out of contract. My advice to you is simply this.

First price out the contract. The ETF (early term fee) may be cheaper to buy out than pay X amount you pay a month. Think about this, even if you have 3 months on VZW and assuming you are paying 40.00 a month that is still 180.00 175, doesn't seem so bad now does it?

If it is cheaper to pay month to month, I would strongly recommend a new number and just send out a mass txt stating your new number. Then setup your voicemail and your call forwarding on your VZW acct. to reflect your new numbers.

Ohterwise, forget getting out of VZW early.