Number portability experience

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Apr 14, 2004 Posts: 1

I recently signed up for Vonage and was actually impressed that they transferred my # within about 3 weeks, as promised.

But after a week of intermittently satisfactory Vonage service (receiving voicemails hours later; phone shutting off, etc.), I decided it just wasn't worth the trouble. So signed up with Sprint's unlimited calling plan, only to be told that my # couldn't be transferred from Vonage.

Does anybody know if local number portability works both ways? That is, can I transfer my # from Vonage if not satisfied?

Posts: 18

Chris M wrote:

Does anybody know if local number portability works both ways? That is, can I transfer my # from Vonage if not satisfied?

It does work both ways. There is a big gottcha with Vonage. They third party contract the portability work through a wholesaler. I tried to move my number to IDT. After many calls to Vonage, the third party (Focal) and IDT it was determined that it could not happen. Focal is extremely uncooperative. They are the reason LNP takes so long. In theory it should not take more than a day or two.
In the end, I had to switch back to Verizon. IDT made that recommendation to me. Then I can switch to another phone company. Vonage was not informed when the switch happened. I had to let them know that I had a signal from a new carrier.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Apr 16, 2004 Posts: 3

I know this will get deleted so Im going for all the marbles.

Vonage ****. I have to give them a little props as they dont actually have control of anything since they are not a real phone company. This is how Vonage works.

Vonage buys a or more Point to point PRI(s) from a local area CLEC (in my case Grand Rapids MI - Choice ONE Communications) back to their closest POP (point of Presence) in my case Indianapolis IN. They purchase blocks of numbers on these PRIs that they give out to customers for the specific rate center. The way the network is setup causes the whole problem in porting You send a letter to Vonage (who does not have an LNP department) so they send the request to Focal (CLEC) who then has to issue the order to your serving carrier. Focal is a CLEC (and almost bankrupt I might add) who has no vested interest in your port so they dont care if you wait 100 days or 2 days. Additional the port is for Vonage not YOU when Vonage assumes your number it becomes their number and if they we to go out of business you would be screwed cuz you no longer own the number ( the reason numbers are not listed in the phonebook....they would be listed as Vonage if they were.). As for the porting If your local carrier is the RBOC you will most likey have an ok experience but if you are with a CLEC or Wireless carrier be prepared to get screwed.

I have called Focal and Vonage who say they have sent all the required info and it is my carriers fault but my carrier has yet to receive it. Now for the good part**** I work in the business and have contacts at Choice One who has never received my number port Vonage LIES.....

Posts: 14 · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 11:01 am Post subject:

dickc wrote:

Internet & Telephone Provider RCN Boston MA

Updated Date: Number Transfer Progress History:
March 29, 2004 Awaiting Letter of Authorization
April 1, 2004 Letter of Authorization (LOA) Received
April 3, 2004 Transfer Sent to Carrier

April 12, Called Vonage to get the 3rd Party (FOCAL) that was handling
the transfer.
April 13 Called FOCAL (Boston Area) and was told my # was sent to
RCN and could expect the # to be ported on April 19th..I will
let the forum know...ciao

April 20, 2004 Carrier Approved Transfer
Received an email from Vonage:
Your expected transfer date is Apr 21, 2004.
We shall see ciao

Posts: 16 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Apr 16, 2004 Posts: 16

Has anyone had to deal with Talk America? My progress is as follows: April 10, 2004 Awaiting Letter of Authorization
April 14, 2004 Letter of Authorization (LOA) Received
April 19, 2004 Transfer Sent to Carrier

So, I am still waiting.

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 01, 2004 Posts: 6

March 5, 2004 Letter of Authorization Received
March 9, 2004 Awaiting Approval
April 20, 2004 Can not transfer

I can't believe it took so long form them to figure out it couldn't be done. I've been paying my old carrier $80 a month just to forward the calls to my Vonage number. I even tried getting a virtual Vonage number closer to my old carriers number so it wouldn't be long distance, but my local carrier couldn't connect to it. Something about a number translation problem.

For those who have Alltel as there local phone carrier expect many problems if you are trying to transfer the number, if it's possable at all. I'm not sure who to blame: Alltel, or Vonage. But I'm going to go with Vonage since they are much cheaper.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Apr 16, 2004 Posts: 3

boxxed. talk america is simply an (sbc) reseller. Your service is actually with the RBOC (sbc) and should go rather quickly, unless Vonage screws it up (likely)

Posts: 14 · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 7:13 am Post subject:

Updated Date: Number Transfer Progress History:
March 29, 2004 Awaiting Letter of Authorization
April 1, 2004 Letter of Authorization (LOA) Received
April 3, 2004 Transfer Sent to Carrier
April 20, 2004 Carrier Approved Transfer
April 21, 2004 Completed LNP Transfer
Not bad considering others. Was without telephone service a few hrs on the21st when RCN Shut off & Vonage didn't turn on until the afternoon I currently have only 1 Jack/Line working so I am able to send & receive Calls & my cordless panasonic is so weak when it rings.

Ciao

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Apr 02, 2004 Posts: 4

Pretty much as expected, but funny thing is that SBC was able to tell me when the change would take place, and it happened on the 21st, but still no update on the Vonage LNP page.

Not that that bothers me, but just suprised it didn't update yet, and hoping it's not a pending SNAFU in the transfer.

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Apr 02, 2004 Posts: 4

left out of previous post:

March 18, 2004 Awaiting Letter of Authorization
March 22, 2004 Letter of Authorization (LOA) Received
March 26, 2004 Transfer Sent to Carrier

April 21 - Transfer complete - not shown on Vonage page as of the 23rd, but the number works.