T-Mobile transfering number, unlocked phones, etc.

Hello, I am planning on dropping Verizon in favor of T-mobile. I am just graduating college (in May) and currently my number resides within a Verizon Family plan. My parents (and 2 siblings) are all heading over to Cingular with their own family plan and I am going with T-Mobile. We might actually switch early if we can get Verizon to cancel us without an ETF. Anyway, the big question is since my current number is inside of a family plan under my dad's name can it be transfered to a T-mobile individual account under a different name? The "number checker" on t-mobile's site says it can, but I think it just checks area code, correct digits, etc.

I also plan on buying an unlocked Motorola Ming A1200. This phone obviously isn't available in the US so it'll be an import. I've already heard reports of it working fine so I'm not too worried in that department - what I am concerned about is getting a T-Mobile plan without a cell phone. Or should I just pick a random free phone as a backup - I am worried about this and wondering if the phone I'll be receiving will be pre-activated or somehow tied to my account where I would have difficulty getting the Ming to work (it does cost an average of around $400 or so, so a $400 paper weight is not an option).

Also how is getting a phone up and running from an 850Mhz roaming area? All service providers roam here at college AND back home with parents - I have had difficulties with activating new Verizon phones up here but I was curious if you can do it online with T-Mobile or if you can just have it automatically work (the Ming will need to be setup anyway and I do believe I have some idea as what to do).

Thanks and look forward to answers

where u go to skool?

Posted from a mobile

Yes, the port will work if you have all the required information. Yes you can use an unlocked phone, but need to get a tmobile phone to start service, so grab a free one as a backup. Switching to 850mhz roaming is automatically done when you move into an 850mhz area.

1) Yes, you can port your phone number over even if it's part of a family plan. My brother did that last year while his number is under my parent's plan. What you'll need when you open an account with T-mobile is that they will need the primary holder of the previous account (i.e. your dad)'s SSN to verify the account. You can port your just your number while your family stays with Verizon.

2) If the phone you are buying is unlocked, then you don't have a problem using it. I import mine as well (and comes unlocked). If you can get a free phone when you activate your service with T-mobile that would be great, otherwise just bring your phone in when you are opening ur account. Since it's GSM, they will give you a SIM card, and just slide that into your new phone right there. (You can open an account without getting a phone from them at all). Any current motorola phone would just automatically configure by itself to the right band for receptions.

3) The phone should automatically switch to the appropriate band (850, 900, 1800, 1900, etc...). I bought my motorola phone 3 years ago, and I can travle with it to other countries, buying a local sim card, and it just works the minute I have it turned on. So if you get a new motorola it should works just fine.

Just a note though... my friend has the Ming, and she complains about reception not being so good... (she lives in SF). The phone looks cool thoug!

good luck!

Ok, I've decided not to port my number (verizon has a $175 cancelation fee and it's not terrible to have a new number - and the remainder of my Verizon plan would only be $50). And I felt I should wait about the MING and stick with the free PEBL until I build my funds up. I had to change a lot in my decisions because I recently broke my v710 (oops) Blessing in disguise maybe?

Just an FYI - From what I have heard due to the increase in SMS rates that constitues a major change in pricing and you should be able to cancel and port with out being charged an ETF.

I know when T-Mobile raised them from $0.05/sms to $0.10 if a cust called to cancel with in 30 days of the rate increase we had to release them.

Never hurts to try it.

But remember Tigress, when one already has a text plan and drops it for the sole reason of cancelling service, the opt-out becomes null and void.

Yeah, though the Verizon service isn't in my name - and my dad doesn't want to try and get my number transfered. I'm already on T-Mobile and it's been a blast so far! Being able to upload my own ringtones and wallpaper has been so much fun! Not to mention finally being able to sync contacts and calendars to my phone from the Mac has been splendid. I've also been able to send pictures from my phone to my Mac without hassle!

The only problems I've had have been P2k editing and occasionally messing up my phone (deleted all the factory extras and now sometimes my phone's ringtone settings will blank :/ I need to fix that).

I've also been using more minutes than I'm use to. But I'll attribute that to having to call friends and notify them of the new number. I've already used 97/300 minutes this month - which ends the 27th.

I also forgot voicemail costs me minutes now

T-Mobile transfering number, unlocked phones, etc.

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