Can I keep my number if I switch to AT&T?

Posted on: 13 Aug 2024

This is a common question for individuals who are considering changing their service provider, such as from one cell phone company to another, for instance, from T-Mobile to AT&T Internet. The good news is that it is possible to retain your number most of the time when you are changing your service provider. Here is what you should know in case you decide to transfer your number to the AT&T wireless service.

How to get your phone number transferred to the company, AT&T
The process of transferring your cell phone number from one carrier to the other is referred to as “number porting.” If you wish to switch from your current provider to AT&T but retain your current cell phone number, you will have to port the number.

The porting process is not time-consuming and does not pose a lot of challenges. Getting a new AT&T account? No problem – just give them your account number and security code from the previous account. This enables AT&T to negotiate with your previous service provider to have your phone number ported over.

At this, you can retain your old phone number in most cases, even when transferring between Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Local carriers of a smaller size also usually enable you to transfer numbers to AT&T in the same way. The other advantage is the SIM card's ability to retain your number, as this makes the process of changing carriers easier since the contacts and services do not need to be informed of a new number.

Is It Possible to Change the Number Itself?
Most often when you are porting a phone number to AT&T when you switch to the service provider, it can take anything between an hour to several business days for the porting process to be complete. Normally, number transfers must be done within one day based on the policies set by AT&T. However, carriers may take slightly longer to transcribe the phone number and service details.

You may have a short time without phone service before the new AT&T internet service and number transfer starts. To prevent problems such as temporary loss of connection, coordinate the termination of the previous phone plan with the beginning of AT&T service.

Allowing Telephone Porting During the Porting Process
You can often continue to use your old smartphone and the old service until the old service ends. The cell service and the process of mobile number transfer as such are performed out of sight through the carriers. Your phone will remain active in most ways until AT&T solidifies the new service and transfers the number.

However, for continuity, it is always advisable to have your new AT&T phone device activated before your previous carrier plan is officially deactivated. It assists in preventing any gaps that might be experienced between the time when the old number is ported out and the time when it is fully functional on the new carrier network.

Always remember that bringing your existing device to AT&T depends on the network technology and compatibility. At times, you may have to buy a new phone that is compatible with the AT&T wireless network since some phones may not work properly with it.

Does Porting a Number Extend My Contract?
If you transfer an existing phone number to a new carrier through a process known as number porting, you usually do not have to sign up for a new service term contract. Until you agree with a new carrier that they will give you a new contract period you are not automatically given a new contract period when you bring your number to a new carrier.

That is why if you are currently on a ‘no-contract’ basis with your current wireless provider, you can switch to AT&T on a standard ‘no-contract’ month-to-month plan and enjoy the same flexibility and short termination notice provisions. Of course, you can always sign up for AT&T contracts that span an extended period to get specific offers on devices and per-minute rates.

Is There Anything Negative About Porting My Number?
On balance, taking your phone number with you when you switch carriers has many more advantages than disadvantages. That said, there are a couple of minor drawbacks to be aware of.

Brief service interruptions: As I mentioned up above, there is sometimes a brief period of no service provided by your previous carrier before service on AT&T with the ported number commences.
Activation delays: The actual number porting process should be done in under 24 hours, but sometimes due to some requests from the previous carrier, it may take 2-3 more days.
Billing complications: That is why cancellation and other charges, based on which the new service’s price will be formed, may not immediately coincide with the previous provider and current AT&T services.

However, the benefits of porting your number when changing to AT&T far outweigh the minor disadvantages. The short-term discomforts that are associated with the porting process create the comfort of having a single phone number.

What to do if your number does not port correctly
At times, the phone number port may fail due to technical reasons. If your number is not displayed properly in the AT&T account dashboard, after 24 hours, then immediately contact AT&T customer care service for the remedy. Also, contact the previous carrier if they failed to properly port the number on their end because of technical glitches.

Most number porting issues, therefore, can easily be solved within a short time especially where the carriers involved cooperate and agree to solve the issue. This is very important as it enables you to continue using your current mobile number for service.