Sometimes you can keep your phone number when you switch carriers, but not always.
The FCC mandates portability (the ability to switch carriers while still retaining your phone number) within a geographic locale. For example, if my billing address doesn't change when I switch carriers, I can keep my phone number. No such guarantees if I wanted to move from LA to NY -- in a long-distance move I would probably not be able to keep my phone number.
I find myself in the strange position of defending Verizon. This is, like cell coverage, based on local experience. Although I only had a one-woman business with the same IT/cell needs as a family (three cell phones, one iPad at the time), I basically committed - without any contract; it was a handshake - to one Verizon sales rep. I have access to her almost around-the-clock and she has gone out of her way to resolve several issues that cropped up over the past couple of years (with billing, with the hotspot device, with dissatisfaction with two Android phones pre-our move to iPhones)... By developing a relationship with her (she's a manager in the region), our overall relationship with Verizon has improved tremendously. Although our bill is still high, of course! :)
I would be glad if we could switch networks and keep the same number, but I haven't heard that much around the Asian countries. How does it work there?
@Alan- as you said in most countries, users could change their mobile operator and keep using the same phone. I think that is probably because most networks use the same GSM frequencies (not sure how it happens at US). But at present most phones support GSM, CDMA and LTE (on most of the new phones), I don't understand why the operators can't give that convenience to customers.
Historically, T-Mobile has had excellent customer service and some better prices than the other top three cellular operators. T-Mobile still has some good airtime plans, but in the past year or two its customer service has suffered, and the new CEO says he intends to remedy that.
One of the major problems with T-Mobile is the lack of coverage, especially compared to Verizon and AT&T. It also has some frequencies that aren't used by other U.S. operators, which has made it difficult for T-Mobile to offer many top-of-the-line phones. That's why T-Mobile is refarming its spectrum to provide HSPA+ and LTE services on frequencies that are compatible with AT&T -- and be able to sell the iPhone and iPad.
In many countries it's usually possible to switch from one cellular operator to another and keep one's existing phone number.
As for switching to another cellular operator and keeping the same device, it depends whether the operator employs frequencies that are compatible with the phone. That's not always possible, especially in the U.S. where there are GSM and CDMA operators. Also, LTE complicates matter because there are even more frequencies with which to contend.
That showed really dumb customer support. Cellular operators and some other companies not only show special consideration for long-time customers but also have customer loyalty programs. In fact, if a cellular subscribers wants to end the subscription, he/she will sometimes be referred to another support specialist who tries to offer a better deal.
It costs a lots less to keep a customer than to obtain a new one.
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