The Process of Porting Telephone Numbers

 The Local Number Portability mandate of 2003 set provisions for a consumer's right to keep an existing telephone number when switching service providers. The action was motivated in part by consumer complaints and the FCC's desire to address non-competitive practices within the industry. The LNP covers portability within the same geographical area and applies to wireline, wireless and VoIp services. Porting your telephone number only takes a few steps and usually goes into affect the same day you place the order.
Contact your new service provider to initiate the porting process. Do not terminate service with current provider until porting is complete through the new provider. Your current provider may charge an early termination fee and require you to pay unpaid fees.
During the period of porting your number from one provider to the next, your phone services may be limited. You may not receive all incoming calls and 911 service may be restricted or disabled. Porting from wireline to wireless service may take up to several days. The LNP mandate requires carriers to port within one day, but some service providers still exceed the deadline. Porting service from one wireless carrier to the next generally takes only a few hours.
According to the LNP mandate, service providers may charge a fee to cover the costs of porting numbers. Before initiating the porting process, ask your new provider about fees. Service providers may not refuse to port numbers even if a consumer refuses to pay porting fees. However, they may continue to bill for the service.
If your service provider refuses to port your number within the same geographic area, you may file a complaint directly with the FCC. The Federal Communications Commission provides an online complaint form at fcc.gov/complaints. Complaints may also be filed at online consumer sites like ripoffreport.com. Consumer's file publically viewable complaints on the site and companies are permitted to refute the complaints.

View the original article here

Read More

What Is the Verizon ESN?

 A Verizon electronic serial number, or ESN, is a unique number assigned to mobile phones that helps identify the validity of the device. Verizon verifies the ESN every time a call is placed or a phone is activated. According to the Telecommunications Industry Association, phones manufactured in the mid-2000s began transitioning from the use of ESNs to a newer Mobile Equipment IDentifier (MEID) standard.
A Verizon cellphone's ESN is a permanent number assigned to that device by the manufacturer. Verizon confirms the legitimacy of each mobile phone using its network by verifying the device's ESN each time a call is placed. This is done by checking the cellphone's ESN against a database of serial numbers approved for use on Verizon's network. The ESN also serves as a security measure to prevent unauthorized phones from being activated. If a cellphone was reported stolen or is being used on a different account, Verizon can determine that the device is not eligible for activation by checking its ESN.
The location of the ESN varies from one model of cellular phone to another, but commonly, it is printed on the back of the phone, sometimes under or below its battery. The ESN is also burned into the cellphone's microchip at the factory. The ESN is an 11-digit number, but it can also be represented in a hexadecimal (HEX) form comprised of a sequence of eight numbers and letters.
Mobile phones began transitioning from ESNs to Mobile Equipment Identifiers, or MEIDs, because manufacturers had run out of available number combinations. An MEID is typically found in the same location as an ESN and it is used in the same manner by Verizon. An MEID is comprised of a 14-digit combination of letters and numbers. The first character in an MEID is always a letter, from "A" through "F."
A cellphone's mobile identification number (MIN) is also communicated to Verizon along with its ESN. The MIN differs from the ESN because it can be altered by Verizon as needed, and is not linked strictly to a cellphone but also the person and account to which it has been assigned. The MIN helps identify each device being used on the network at any given time, and it is used in conjunction with an ESN to prevent unauthorized activity.

View the original article here

Read More

My Verizon Phone Wants to Dial When I Am Listening to VCast

VCast is Verizon's content service that customers can use to download music, videos and other media. If your phone wants to dial contacts while you're listening to VCast, you may have a software issue that requires attention. Depending on the cause of your problem, you may be able to resolve the issue without contacting customer service.
When your Verizon phone wants to dial while you're listening to VCast, perform a soft reset. The phone may be caught up in a temporary process that may be prompting it to auto-dial. A soft reset can possibly stop the process and allow you to continue to listen to VCast without interruption. The reset doesn't cause any alterations to your phone's data or settings. To reset your phone, remove the battery for at least one minute. After replacing the battery, you can power on the phone and restart VCast.
Check for new updates to your phone's software if the problem persists. The problem may be related to a software issue that has already been addressed by Verizon through an update. Most updates are available to download and install directly to the handset without the need to connect your phone to a computer. An active data connection is needed to download the software update. Once your phone is updated, restart it to determine if the problem was resolved.
As a last resort, you can hard reset your Verizon phone if it still dials while when you're listening to VCast. A hard reset is an option if the problem is related to a software or hardware issue that wasn't resolved with an update. The reset completely wipes all of the data off your phone and restores it to its factory settings. Before resetting your phone, back up any data such as music and pictures. After the process is completed, check VCast to determine if the problem was solved.
Persistent problems with dialing while listening to VCast may be an indication of a bigger issue with your phone. Contact Verizon's technical support to receive additional troubleshooting assistance. A replacement phone may be issued if the problem persists. Depending on your mobile service plan and warranty, the replacement phone may be issued at no charge to you. If it's determined that the problem is related to misuse, you may need to pay the cost of your service deductible or be charged the full price of the phone.
Copyright © 1999-2012 Demand Media, Inc.

View the original article here

Read More

Free Verizon Wireless Ringtones

Verizon Wireless owns the America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 55 million cell phone customers. Verizon Wireless operates the second-largest wireless telecommunications network in America, based on total cell phone customers. And Verizon Wireless still continues to increase its market share of the postpaid retail market segment. Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Vodafone Group (NYSE and LSE: VOD) and Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ), with 45 and 55 percent ownership respectively. Verizon plans to make way for the quadruple play with Verizon Wireless by adding the wireless service to Internet broadband, landline phone service and TV service.Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ and Verizon Wireless has a diverse workforce of more than 58,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $32 billion.

Verizon Wireless delivered America first wireless consumer 3G multimedia services and Verizon Wireless has also launched one of the most comprehensive mobile music services in the world. And with their service Get It Now a proprietary interface, you can download ringtones for Verizon Wireless, java games, mobile applications, e-mails, directions, wireless internet, etc., and use instant messaging on your cell phone. With just a few taps on your cell phone keypad, you can associate different free Verizon Wireless ringtones for different phonebook entries, download some cool wallpapers and ringback tones, snap and send photos, check local movie times now and a lot more. You need to use a Verizon Wireless Get It Now-enabled cell phone like the brand new Motorola K1m cell phone to use all these mobile value added services.

The number of Verizon Wireless ringtones wallpapers you can store on your cell phone varies by model (LG ringtones Verizon Wireless, Verizon Treo ringtones, Verizon Motorola ringtones,...). The current most popular ringtone downloads are:


1. Make Some Noise
Beastie Boys

2. Kings And Queens
30 Seconds To Mars

3. Shine
Collective Soul

4. Unnatural Selection
Muse

5. Uprising
Muse

6. Holiday
Green Day

7. Statistics
Lyfe Jennings

8. How Great Is Our God
Chris Tomlin

9. E.T.
Katy Perry

10. Four Sticks
Led Zeppelin


Find more information about  free Verizon Wireless ringtones at www.phantomsearch.info  .

Read More

Connecting With Verizon Wireless Broadband

Verizon wireless broadband allows you to do the same thing as can be done with land lines. Initially, the speed in which data was transferred was a major stumbling block. Wireless phones were able to access the internet in the same speed that dial up modems could do. Because of their new technology, Verizon wireless broadband enjoys true broadband speeds. You are able to sign on to the internet faster and there are several different ways to connect with companies like Verizon wireless broadband. Customer service is what prompts companies like Verizon to constantly look for ways to improve their technology and bring even more customer satisfaction to their broadband service.

Verizon is in the market selling cellular phones of all sizes and colors. It is these phones that Verizon wireless broadband uses to connect to the internet. Verizon's cellular phones have vivid color screens and sound technology. No doubt you are familiar with Verizon's massive advertisement campaign promoting their technology. You can also listen to digital music and video which makes their phones more marketable especially with the younger crowd. With the right software and with cable, you can connect to your computer for the appropriate wireless internet connection wherever you happen to be.

If you would rather not use your phone to connect to the internet by means of your computer, then you can research Verizon wireless broadband and use their avenue to connecting to the internet. Several laptop manufacturers have been used, by Verizon, to make their computers compatible with Verizon's technology. Perhaps the most flexible means of doing this is by purchasing a PC card so that you can connect to the internet using any laptop or with the one you already have.

If you are running your own business, Verizon wireless broadband offers a means to access their network by way of a network router. The network router isn't for constant use but for maintaining network connectivity when your main line is not working. It is a backup device that will detect when your company's main service goes down and will connect to the Verizon wireless broadband network instead. You are still able to conduct business as usual without any major interruptions.

For whatever reason you use your computer, Verizon wireless broadband service has a plan for you that will be reasonably priced and will allow you to take advantage of signing onto the internet. Your phone line is not tied up and you can continue surfing the net while still engaged in a phone conversation.



Cindy Heller is a professional writer. To learn more about verizon wireless broadband, please visit internet broadband providers.




Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cindy_Heller

Read More

Cingular Wireless Vs. Verizon Wireless

As a first time buyer, you have the choice of getting a "Pay-as-you-go" plan, where you buy a phone and a "bucket" of minutes. Let's jus say that you basically pay for just the minutes you use and nothing else.

Minutes are typically $0.10 and with Cingular, there are basically two different Pay-as-you-Go plans - one where you get free mobile-to-mobile calls and rollover for $29.99 for 200 minutes (lowest plan) with no commitment (up to $69.99 for 600 minutes with unlimited nights and weekends and mobile-to-mobile. All of these plans have rollover minutes.

There is also another one where you just pay $1.00 a day for any day you use the phone and then $0.10 a minute for every minute you use. These are good types of plans for people who only need their phone for emergencies or the occasional call.

Verizon has EasyPay which is $50.00 a month for 300 minutes (lowest plan), and also does not have a commitment and does have unlimited nights and weekends. The EasyPay minutes can only be used in the EasyPay area and you pay roaming charges for any areas that are not part of the EasyPay territory. InPulse is the pay-as-you-go plan from Verizon and is $0.10 a minute, $0.99 a day for any day you
use the phone.

Basically, both carriers have a similar plan and both have a special plan for pay-as-you-go. Phones for Verizon for these plans range from $69.99 to $119.99 and there are three available. Cingular has several models to choose from ranging from $29.99. All of the models of phones from both carriers will be easy to use and there are "non-fancy" models available that should be very good for a brand new user.

The other type of service is the monthly type, where you buy or get a phone for no charge with a two-year commitment. The lowest Cingular and Verizon plan is $39.99 for 450 minutes, 5,000 minutes for nights and weekends and free mobile-to-mobile calls. Nights with Verizon start at 9:01pm and go to 5:59am the next time.

Cingular's nights are 9:00pm to 7:00am the next day. Weekends with Verizon are 12:00am Saturday to 11:59pm Sunday. Cingular's are Friday at 9:00pm to Monday at 7:00am. Cingular has rollover minutes (if you don't use your minutes, they roll over to the next month and add to your minute bucket), Verizon does not have a rollover plan.

If most of your family and friends have Verizon, you probably won't benefit from the free mobile-to-mobile with them if you choose Cingular, but you would with your work peers if they take advantage of the Cingular discount and have Cingular service. The employee discount is only available on the monthly plans and is not available for the pay-as-you-go plans.

If you decide on Cingular, you can contact Cingular directly; they can give you the name of the person responsible for your company's account, who can help you with the Premier web site. You will get special on-line discounts with both companies, if you decide to purchase on-line.

As far as coverage goes, both Verizon and Cingular have coverage, but it appears that the Cingular coverage is better (this is not an original Verizon territory, so they may not have built up the area as well as Cingular, perhaps). Verizon definitely has decent coverage (as I'm sure your friends will attest to, so don't rule out Verizon based on coverage).

Verizon has a 15 day trial period and Cingular has a 30 day trial period. If you decide after the trial period that you don't like or want the phone and/or service, you are not on the hook for the 2 year commitment. This is not available with the pay-as-you-go plans.



Victor Epand is an expert agent for BuyCellularPhones.info, a huge cellphone superstore featuring great prices and rebates on cellphones including Motorola, Samsung, Nokia, Audiovox, LG, RIM Blackberry, Sanyo, Sony Ericsson, and others.




Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victor_Epand

Read More

Activation Instructions For Verizon Cell Phones

We are providing this guide for both new and existing customers of Verizon Wireless. The following instructions are specific for those who use Verizon Wireless.

Step 1: Remove the battery out of your Verizon cell phone and locate the ESN number, which is on the sticker under the battery. The number you are looking for is either noted as an ESN number or a HEX number and is located in the back of the phone under the battery.

Step 2: Once the ESN or HEX number has been located, simply call the Verizon Wireless phone number below. A customer service rep shoud be able to get your phone up and running in 10 minutes or less.

Verizon Wireless Customer Service Phone Number - 1-800-922-0204

NOTE - If you purchase the phone from the internet, we do no recommend going to the actual Verizon Wireless store. A sales persons main intention once you walk in the door is to either upgrade your current phone or sell you a new contract and may make up a variety of reasons why your phone can not be activated. Additionally, most store workers are only trained on the few models that are on hand in the store and may not be familiar enough with the phone to activate it. The best trained people are found when you call in your phone via Verizon customer support.

Tip - If you can not locate the ESN or HEX number on a Blackberry or Palm Treo cell phone, you can find these necessary number for activation by entering *#06# on a Blackberry and on a Palm Treo you can enter ##786 or #*#786 followed by the center button. This will show you the internal ESN number / HEX number of the cell phone. *#06# works on some other phone models we have tried as well.



Chris Samaras is the owner of The Blue Dot, a company that would like to bring awareness about the impacts of cell phones on the environment. Their website offers great deals on new, used, and refurbished Verizon Cell Phones. A great place to buy Blackberry cell phones and save money.




Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_G_Samaras

Read More

3G and 4G For No Contract Verizon Wireless Phones

Verizon Wireless Phones come in a variety of makes and models, most running on 3G technology even as the carrier is busying installing their 4G network. BlackBerry Cell Phones for Verizon are among the most popular of brands available, with a feature set that defines it as, more properly speaking, a smartphone.


2G technology is the most widely used network technology for mobile phones. More than 80% of cellular phone users around the world use 2G technology at present. One disadvantage that 2G technology has compared to 3G is that data rates are limited - it is relatively slower than 3G. Lower data transfer speed means slower music and video downloads, problems when making a video conference call, or long waits for sending/receiving large media messages.

That is the main reason for the development of newer network technologies such as 3G that offer a data transfer speed of up to 2Mbps (2 Mega Bits per second). Anyone using a 3G phone knows that that is far from being true; in fact, it almost never exceeds 384Kbps, at most.

A new technology being developed these days, 4G, will supposedly allow data transfer speeds as high as 100Mbps (50 times faster than today's 3G!) outdoors, and a blasting 1Gbps indoors.

So what are the main features of 4G technology?

- Wireless internet with a bandwidth much wider than the 2G or the 3G - 100 MHZ.
- Much higher data transfer speed - up to 1Gbps.
- Video conference calls - with more than 2 callers, and due to the faster data transfer rates, less problems; also, will not get stuck as often as it does with 3G.
- Improved security features to prevent frauds and theft.
- On account of the wider bandwidths, data transfers will be relatively cheap

There are not enough details about 4G technology to compare with other technologies. Without a doubt it will be better, faster, and probably cheaper, but all users would have to get the new devices, meaning compatible devices (which probably aren't going to be cheap), and wait for the new networks and antennas that will go with this newest technology.

Anyway, NTT DoCoMo, the Japanese company working on devloping 4G technology in association with HP, estimates that 4G services will be launched (in Japan only) somewhere between 2010-2016, and it will probably take a couple more years after that for it to get to the United States so that we still have plenty of time to adjust and get ready.



This article on 3G and 4G was written by Paul Wise. Paul has used BlackBerry Cell Phones for Verizon for years and would recommend CellKraze.com to anyone looking for No Contract Verizon Wireless Phones without the contract.




Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Wise

Read More