Late last year, the FCC released a rule change that enabled local number portability, not only between wireless carriers, but from wireline to wireless. Looking at our telephone bill, I realized that there was money to be saved by switching our current landline phone number to a cell phone for me would save money every month. On Saturday i went to Cingular to check on pricing, and this move looks like it will save us about 40% on our phone expenses. When we went in last night to initiate the process, the Cingular people wanted to set our expectations low about the issues involved: it may take a few days and things may be confused for a few days. I'll be keeping you posted.
They gave us a form to fill out. Apparently, we have to ask that Bellsouth remove all the extra features from the land line, like voicemail, three-way calling, caller ID, etc. before the number can be 'ported to the wireless domain. I hope to be calling them this evening.
