Sprint today announced plans to make it easy for consumers to transfer their current phone number to a PCS Phone and get wireless service they can count on.
This Monday, November 24, a new cell phone number portability federal rule takes effect that lets consumers switch telecommunications carriers without changing phone numbers. The rule allows for transferring a phone number from one wireless carrier to another, or for switching a wireline (home) phone number to wireless within the same local calling area. Sprint today confirmed that its retail store personnel, Customer Solutions specialists and systems are fully prepared to support the switching process.
"Sprint's goal is to make switching as simple and as efficient as possible," said Len Lauer, president and chief operating officer for Sprint. "And for those people shopping for better wireless service, they should take a good look at Sprint. They will find clear calls at a superior value. And our wireless services work the same wherever customers go on the Sprint network, the most complete, all-digital network in the nation."
It's simple and convenient to transfer a number to Sprint:
When visiting a Sprint Store, it's helpful for consumers to bring a copy of an invoice from their current service provider.
Select a PCS Phone as a next step. Sprint offers the industry's widest selection of phones and devices. A new phone will generally be required in porting services because mobile phones from one carrier do not typically operate on competitors' networks.
Next, choose a calling plan. For example, Sprint's newest plan gives customers the opportunity to use their minutes when they want to use them with unlimited night and weekend minutes beginning at 7 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. Also, Sprint's new PCS Add-A-Phone plan allows customers to add up to four additional lines to their account free for the first three months. After three months, customers pay $20 a month for each line added.
Once a phone and calling plan are selected, Sprint takes care of the transfer process from there. If the transfer is not going to be completed by the anticipated time, Sprint will contact customers at the number they provide to give an update.
Recycle that old phone
Once wireless customers' number transfer is complete, they also have the opportunity to contribute to a good cause, called "Sprint Project Connect."
By the end of this year, more than 100 million mobile phones will be "retired" -- either thrown away or set aside for new ones.
In transferring a telephone number to Sprint, here are some additional points to consider:
Consumers are advised not to terminate service with the carrier they are leaving -- this could result in losing their current phone number.
Sprint's goal is to complete a customer's wireless transfer within a matter of hours. For customers who move their home phone number to a Sprint wireless phone, the process will take longer: a few days.
During the cell phone number portability transfer process, Sprint customers will have phone service with their former service provider. For a short period of time, customers new to Sprint may receive calls on both phones.
Also during the transfer process, Sprint customers will have the opportunity to switch their complete address book information (e.g., contact names and numbers) to their new PCS Phone, free of charge.
Not all numbers will be transferable in all markets and by all providers. Initially, number portability will only work in larger markets around the country.
Millions of customers are expected to transfer their phone numbers in the first few days that wireless number portability becomes available and the systems that process these transfers are new. As a result, consumers may initially encounter delays in the phone transfer process.