Can not transfer my number

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 23, 2005 Posts: 2

I signed up for Vonage back sometime in August when they were giving away the G-for-Free router. We had two numbers to transfer - both were with different carriers (SBC and AT&T). The SBC line transferred flawlessly and very quickly. The AT&T though, was unable to be transferred. I wouldn't care, but I was told by at least two people on the phone that it would be transferrable and their website *did* say the number was transferrable. After I bought the router and signed up, after several days I get an email saying that my number was not able to be transferred! Getting my number transferred is a *must* and I really don't get why it is not be able to be transferred. Vonage offered me to change my number (which no, I do not want - that is a huge hassle) or cancelling. I didn't cancel because our business line with SBC had transferred flawlessly and you have to be signed up for 3 months for the rebate. What do you think I should do? Is there anything I can to get it to transfer such as trying to transfer the AT&T line to SBC and then try to transfer it to Vonage? IMO Vonage really screwed up. A phone number is a very important thing and I was told on the phone and online that it would be able to be transferred and when it came down to it... oops, your number isn't transferable.

Thanks.

Posts: 8 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 29, 2005 Posts: 8

I fought the battle for my parents for months....didn't get anywhere. If you don't know already....speaking to anyone at Vonage takes about 1/2 of your work day....I think they know that....and know it is not worth anyones time to battle it out.

I also believe that they purposely tell you your number is available, knowing that they have to idea if it really is. I am sure you read my post....I did file a claim against them with BBB.....I hope more people do the same, and that is the only way that Vonage will change their practices.

Good luck getting your number changed. Vonage has claimed that the local provider is always the one holding up the change...If you can get AT&T to switch the number....that would prove a point to Vonage.

Posts: 78 · Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 10:33 am Post subject: The truth about LNP

The problem isn't Vonage. It's the carrier that holds the number.

For example, you said that the transfer from SBC worked fine while that from AT&T didn't. That's because AT&T isn't really a local carrier. They buy what's called UNE's from SBC and then offer service under their name. That's what blocks the LNP.

Friend of mine is trying to port his Cox phone number over to Vonage except Cox won't play ball. I told him to file a complaint with the PUC, right down to the specific person and commissioner he should talk to.

It annoys me that publcly regulated companies refuse to treat Vonage lines as publicly regulated even though your LNP transfer goes to another publicly regulated company that Vonage uses to home your number and provide service.

Posts: 8 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 29, 2005 Posts: 8

I think the problem is Vonage. They tell you your number is available, yet they don't really know that. You would think that Vonage should actually find out from the carrier if the carrier is willing to let the number go....and if they are....then they should come back and tell you your number is available. Instead, they just say...Oh, no problem, we can port your number.....you buy the equipment...get it all set up. Then find out a few weeks later that "Oops, it isn't really available."

I understand that the provider is part of the issue....but Vonage is the company telling their customers they can port numbers that they really can't.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 23, 2005 Posts: 2

kds1 - Is there anyway I could transfer the AT&T number to SBC, and then transfer it to Vonage? I don't know a lot about how the phone companies work and how the transferring works. How would I go about complaining to the PUC?

CPRII - I agree with you to the fact that Vonage told me my number was transferrable. When I was first interested in switching to Vonage it said our number wasn't transferrable, then a few months later I saw it was. But it happened to not be transferrable after I was told it was. That is what is getting me. We've paid for 2 months of service now, and have not even been able to use it.

Thanks for the responses

Posts: 78 · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 9:16 am Post subject: Re: I disagree

CPRII wrote:

I think the problem is Vonage. They tell you your number is available, yet they don't really know that. You would think that Vonage should actually find out from the carrier if the carrier is willing to let the number go....and if they are....then they should come back and tell you your number is available. Instead, they just say...Oh, no problem, we can port your number.....you buy the equipment...get it all set up. Then find out a few weeks later that "Oops, it isn't really available."

I understand that the provider is part of the issue....but Vonage is the company telling their customers they can port numbers that they really can't.

Every FCC registered carrier posts the NPA-NXX (Area Code-Exchange) indicating what prefixes are LNP. The problem is that when 2nd tier carriers enter the picture (a la AT&T) things get very muddled.

So I can't cast blame on Vonage, particularly since LNP's from a true registered carrier do in fact occur within the 20 day window they specify.

However, Vonage should inform customers that the information is preliminary and that a true answer won't be forthcoming until the LNP application is submitted.

That seems to be my one sore point with Vonage. They're guilty of the sin of omission. But they aren't deliberately trying to defraud customers.

I'll be honest, most of the complaints I've seen about Vonage are due to people not understanding the phone that they use and more importantly, their own ISP.

Posts: 78 · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 9:17 am Post subject:

D3M0N wrote:

kds1 - Is there anyway I could transfer the AT&T number to SBC, and then transfer it to Vonage? I don't know a lot about how the phone companies work and how the transferring works. How would I go about complaining to the PUC?

CPRII - I agree with you to the fact that Vonage told me my number was transferrable. When I was first interested in switching to Vonage it said our number wasn't transferrable, then a few months later I saw it was. But it happened to not be transferrable after I was told it was. That is what is getting me. We've paid for 2 months of service now, and have not even been able to use it.

Thanks for the responses

First read my response to CPRII.

As to switching it to SBC and then SBC to Vonage that may work. It's one less layer of crap to go through.