Q: If I change my VoIP service provider being, can I transfer the number to my new provider, say, 8 × 8 to VOIPo
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A: Yes. According to local number portability FCC (LNP) rules, as long as you stay within the same geographic area, you can change your phone provider freely and keep your phone number. This includes transfers of all providers of wireline, wireless or VoIP provider to any other wired, wireless, or VoIP. If a supplier refuses to transfer your number, you can file a complaint with the FCC. A quick web chat today with staff 8 × 8 support has confirmed that the transfer of a number of their service to another VoIP provider should be no problem.
The most important thing to remember when porting your number is that you must start porting with your new provider (in case of your example, VOIPo) before you cancel your phone service your current provider (8 × 8). This usually means that you will have a brief period of overlap in service. If you cancel your current service prior to porting with your new provider, you will probably lose the rights to your phone number.
In most cases, the new service provider (in this example, VOIPo) begins the porting process by contacting your current provider (8 × 8). You usually need to provide the new company with basic information for this process, including your current phone number, zip code and the account number and attached access codes to your current account. Do not cancel your current service until you have confirmed with your new provider that the porting process is complete.
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