AT&T Wireless Fumbles Number Portability

cloudscout writes "The FCC is demanding that AT&T Wireless Services explain their number portability failures. Apparently, tens of thousands of customers are having their number portability requests delayed because of computer system problems at AT&T Wireless. Sadly, the FCC did not say they were going to be imposing fines for this breach of regulations yet but I'm sure that will follow if things don't improve quickly." Reader (54)T-Dub adds: "As many of you already reported on wed, there have been some pretty serious delays for people switching cellphone providers according to this NYTimes article (free reg required). Most notably former AT&T customers can expect to wait up to a week for their number to switch."

Comments

I like AT&T

[squarefish]

I've personally been very happy with my service from AT&T overall, but still have had a couple complaints. So I considered switching to verizon because they seem to have a very good reputation. I went to the verizon store the other day and the sales person was surprised that I hadn't had more problems with AT&T and mentioned that most of the people trying to use number portability were coming from AT&T. But you know what, verizon doesn't have a single phone with bluetooth and only one known option that works with apple computers. AT&T has several that do both and thier internet access doesn't use airtime (verizons does). So, I'm sticking with AT&T but still wish someone had the ultimate phone- bluetooth, mac and the ability to use ssh without spending $500+. I don't want a camera or to even browse the web, just give me mail and shell and I'd be extremely happy.

My ex-roommate had sprint and his calls to report dropped calls would get dropped all the time, but he got it because he could talk for free to other sprint users. another friend just signed a two-year contract with sprint and I hope she has better luck- there's no way I'd go with sprint.

Now, when will they finally let you transfer the phone you like to a different service provider?

Re:I like AT&T

[ThogScully]

Now, when will they finally let you transfer the phone you like to a different service provider?

So go with GSM. Your connection may not be as reliable in the middle of nowhere, but I find it rarely a problem. And I've taken my phone internationally to carriers around the world without problems. While the service coverage may not quite be what those CDMA and TDMA providers have, I find it worthwhile to support the better, more flexible standard in the hopes that it will proliferate later on.
-N

Re:I like AT&T

[Zaphod B]

Just remember that your GSM phone will not work on other GSM carriers until you have the SIM lock removed. If you have a Nokia GSM phone, you can get the unlock sequence from here.

If you don't have a Nokia, you can find people who will unlock the phones for you with a special cable. T-Mobile will give the unlock codes to their customers once you hit the 90-day mark, though I've heard of people getting them as quickly as 15 days after signing up... e-mail simunlock@t-mobile.com with your phone's serial (IMEI) number and your account information. Cingular have a mixed history of giving out the lock codes. AT&T refuse to give out the codes for any reason.

Once you unlock your phone you will be able to use any provider's SIM card in it... and historically, Cingular do not require 1- or 2-year agreements when you bring your own phone.

Bear in mind that Cingular and AT&T use 800 (850) and 1900 MHz networks and T-Mobile use only 1900 MHz networks, so you want to check out which networks your phone will work on first. (If you have a triband phone it's probably 900/1800/1900, which means it works on 1900 here in North America and works in most of the rest of the world as well.)

Still Waiting

[Ken@WearableTech]

I've been waiting a few days for ATT to release my number to T-Mobile. I don't mind the wait, a week is not a big deal so put away the worlds smallest violin, I'm just enjoying my new SE Z600.

What is bothersome though is that even if a week is not bad, many can do it it hours and sometimes minutes. If a Verizon to T-Mobile port can be done in a day, the ATT to T-Mobile should not take much longer. I hope the FCC does fine them. If ATT is using this as a stall tactic they are nuts as people who might not think about LNP might read about this in the newspaper and figure, "Wow, ATT is bad, maybe I should change."

My experience w/ TMobile.

[ybmug]

I've been waiting for the cell phone portability stuff to take effect for quite some time now. I've wanted to switch providers for awhile, but didn't want to go through the hassle of telling everyone about my new phone number. So, I went to talk the TMobile and they said I they could support my phone number. I was thrilled to say they least, so I started the process and signed the contracts and everything. A week later, they give me a call and tell me they can't switch my phone number because it is not in on of the governments top 100 markets - I will have to wait until May 2004 to switch my number.

I can cancel my new contract within 14 days, so that's not a problem. But, it is a hassle and it just a little shady on TMobile's part. So no I have to make the decision to go through the hassle of canceling my new contract and wait 6 more months or just go ahead and make the switch.

AT&T Wont UNLOCK EVER!

[evilned]

AT&T has started switiching its TDMA based network to GSM (before someone nitpicks, I know GSM is a TDMA based standard) and as such, has started offering GSM phones. They look like any other sim based GSM phone, and many of their phones are tri band, so they can be used all over the world. Small problem though, they are locked to only accept AT&T sim cards, so if you want to use a prepaid sim in Europe or Asia, your screwed. For Nokia phones, this isnt too bad, as their sim locking isn't hard to crack, and there are several programs out there that will generate unlock codes for them. Now Sony Ericksson phones are a whole other ball of wax, their sim unlocking goes to the point that the phones are setup to never accept an unlock code. To unlock the phone requires a service cable, and a phone log, or sending it in to someone with service hardware. T-Mobile will give you the unlock codes after your trial two weeks where you can cancel service with out penalty are up. As someone who travels alot internationally, and has seen what international roaming rates are like, I wont ever get another phone that is not easily unlocked.

Re:Even before the # portability...

[Adam9]

Verizon Wireless has been giving out $25 to $30 credits for people with ATT WS portability problems (when they switched to VZW). Sure beats putting up with ATT's incompetence and their insulting $5 credit.

The problem is the software

[Go Aptran]

Most of the problems with phone portability (and cell phone customer service in general) can probably be traced back to under-trained and over-worked staff trying to use slow and buggy software to process orders and set up accounts.

I did a brief stint at one cell phone company as a temp and noted that the sales people used a slow, buggy, web-based interface to process new accounts, change features, phone numbers etc. This interface would slow to a halt several times a day and there was no real way to know if your work actually went through until the customer reported problems with his service.

Everything else (billing adjustments, credit checks, etc) were performed using an AS/400 interface that could charitably be described as "confusing" and "cryptic" at first glance and even the more experienced people that I worked with made mistakes when trying to enter information.

I was always pleasantly shocked when something would work out right...