[hnsimpson]

...and keep my number.

I have Verizon in NC. I would like to switch to T-Mobile, but T-Mobile does not have a presence in my part of NC.

Can I port my number to T-Mobile?

-Simpson

[rsnadel]

Any company that sells Blackberry service in the US can port your number.

[ladydi]

yes, you can port your number but it cancels your old account and I believe there is a $35 charge for it.

[John Clark]

If TMobile has no presence in your region it may not be possible. Check TMobile.com to see if your number is "port"able. I believe there is a place on their site to check. If not, give them a call.

[TheGreggers]

I'm curious as to why you would be switching from VZW to TMO if T-Mobile is not present in your area?

As for porting numbers... pretty much every number is portable from one Carrier to the other.

You wont even need to visit VZW to do it...
Just provide T-Mobile with the account information, PIN/Password if applicable,
and setup service. It generally takes 24 hours, at which time you will experience "dual service". Where one phone (either the Verizon or T-Mo phone) will receive your calls, while the other will only make the outbound calls.
After a short period of that up to 12 hours, your new T-Mo phone will now make and receive the calls to/from that phone number.
If there are any issues with the port, e.g. Verizon for some reason will not allow T-Mo to transfer the number... they will contact you with the reason..
misinformation, or whatever.

Please make sure that you are OUT of contract with Verizon unless you are willing to pay the ETF, Early Termination Fee... $175 minus pro-rated.

Also, one suggestion... since T-Mo, you say, is not present in your area...
I would suggest starting a line of service with T-Mobile, and snagging the phone of choice with it (obviously the BlackBerry), and testing it out.
Use your 14 day trial period wisely, and before the 14 days is up, if you are completely satisfactory with the service and company and plan, call T-Mobile CS, ask for the Number Transfer department, and have them port over your Verizon phone number to your new T-Mobile phone, over-writing the temporary one you received when you signed up for service on TMo.

At this point, you will incur the charge (unless you sweet talk your way out of it) that ladydi is talking about for porting the number without activation.. but you avoid the following:

Because.. if you port over your number to T-Mobile, and find that the service isn't available or the reception is horrible, when you are forced to switch back to Verizon, you will not lose your existing phone number.
You cannot port to T-Mobile, then transfer it back.

[John Clark]

Unless the carrier does business in the area many times you can't have an account with them. I live in area where AT&T has no presence. I can't port my number to them and use their service. However, AT&T users come here and have great service roaming on Unicel & TMobile. It may also just depend on the particular state, too. Just call them and see or check out their website.

[TheGreggers]

Good point, John. Thanks.

[hnsimpson]

From T-Mobile:

Are All Numbers Eligible to Switch to T-Mobile?

You can only bring your number to T-Mobile if we provide service in your area and if your number is eligible to switch. If you are in one of the top 100 markets, and we have a partnership with your carrier, your number may be eligible.

For more information on what is needed to switch your number, go to What Do I Need to Know to Switch My Phone Number?


I am looking at switching in order to utilize the gps function within the handheld.

-simpson

[hnsimpson]

....also, I was with Tmobile a couple of years ago (had an Atlanta number) and had great coverage here...no problems.

-simpson

[John Clark]

You'll need a new device if you switch to a GSM carrier. AT&T should have presence there as well as SunCom. You can purchase an unlocked 8800 and use it on SunCom (they don't offer the 8800, I don't think) or you can purchase the 8800 from AT&T and use their service.

[Dubdub]

Originally Posted by hnsimpson

....also, I was with Tmobile a couple of years ago (had an Atlanta number) and had great coverage here...no problems.

-simpson

If I were you, I would do some homework and make sure you will have coverage with T-Mo when and where you need it. Don't trust the coverage maps. Talk to people. Roaming agreements can change in a heartbeat as well.

Also keep in mind that you will need full data services to access maps for the GPS. No data, no maps = worthless GPS.

Sounds really silly to me to switch to a carrier with no presence where I need the device.