What happens after a number change?

**tdervish** · 08-07-2012, 06:33 PM

Does the old number immediately get recycled into the pool for all carriers, or does Verizon hold on to it for a while?

I was thinking about changing my number, then doing a winback on my old carrier to get that number back on my old carrier while keeping my unlimited line alive on verizon.

**veriztd** · 08-07-2012, 06:49 PM

Under normal circumstances, mobile #'s are recycled within 30-60 days. There are documented cases that have been less than 30 days but that is not the norm. The justification to wait at least 30-60 days is to allow users to restore their account and keep their original mobile #.

**tdervish** · 08-07-2012, 07:24 PM

so what would happen if i change my number, and then port the old number that was "thrown away". will my account get an ETF?

**jseah** · 08-07-2012, 09:07 PM

I think once you change your number, your old number is no longer "yours", so I don't see how you would be able to port that old number to another carrier.

**tdervish** · 08-07-2012, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by jseah

I think once you change your number, your old number is no longer "yours", so I don't see how you would be able to port that old number to another carrier.

Yea, but that old number used to be on AT&T. And I'm planning on calling AT&T and doing a winback on that number. And they can bring that number back from the dead, or at least I think they can.

**ben7337** · 08-07-2012, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by tdervish

Yea, but that old number used to be on AT&T. And I'm planning on calling AT&T and doing a winback on that number. And they can bring that number back from the dead, or at least I think they can.

I've never heard of that before. Almost positive that the carrier who you are currently on holds the rights to your number. So if you change your number on verizon, the number goes to verizon and is in their pool of numbers to use. Verizon has no reason to give your number up to at&t, they will give it to someone else after a while.

**veriztd** · 08-07-2012, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by tdervish

Yea, but that old number used to be on AT&T. And I'm planning on calling AT&T and doing a winback on that number. And they can bring that number back from the dead, or at least I think they can.

How long ago did you cancel the At&t and then the Verizon service ?? I seriously doubt that even if At&t got the mobile # back that you can have the old number. Good luck, but I don't think you will have any chance. Let us know what happens.

**Sam73065** · 08-08-2012, 01:09 AM

Originally Posted by tdervish

Does the old number immediately get recycled into the pool for all carriers, or does Verizon hold on to it for a while?

I was thinking about changing my number, then doing a winback on my old carrier to get that number back on my old carrier while keeping my unlimited line alive on verizon.

Have you tried calling VZW and ATTM and asked to be referred to somebody who may be able to answer your question? After all they are the ones that have to play along with this idea of yours, if it is to work.

**vzwinagent** · 08-08-2012, 02:26 AM

Don't think it will work. To do a port which a win back is still porting the number back, it has to be yours. They have to verify account number and ssn on the account of the number they are porting. It won't match and the port will fail or may just give an error that it's not an active number and can't be completed. Just like you can't cancel service with a provider and then port the number. It must still be active.

**tdervish** · 08-08-2012, 04:41 AM

Originally Posted by vzwinagent

Don't think it will work. To do a port which a win back is still porting the number back, it has to be yours. They have to verify account number and ssn on the account of the number they are porting. It won't match and the port will fail or may just give an error that it's not an active number and can't be completed. Just like you can't cancel service with a provider and then port the number. It must still be active.

If I do an MDN change, and then try it with ATT to port over, and it does not work.. could I then go back to Verizon and say hey can I change my number back to my old one?

**HF305** · 08-08-2012, 06:02 PM

No. The only number you have "rights" to is the one currently active on your line.

**lr1517** · 08-08-2012, 06:15 PM

To the OP, keep in mind that VZW states at least on line that once you change your number it can't be undone, it looks to much hassle and I really doubt that either at&t or Vz would even bother with this.

**motorhead1916** · 08-09-2012, 02:11 AM

Originally Posted by tdervish

Does the old number immediately get recycled into the pool for all carriers, or does Verizon hold on to it for a while?

I was thinking about changing my number, then doing a winback on my old carrier to get that number back on my old carrier while keeping my unlimited line alive on verizon.

All you have to do is port this number to your new carrier, there will not be any immediate changes happening on your phone. The porting is done within the 24 hours from signing up with your new carrier. What actually happens is that you could continue using the same features on your phone provided your new carrier has them. You wouldn't even notice the change expect for the monthly bill.

**acadiel** · 08-09-2012, 09:05 AM

What happens when you cancel Verizon service with an AT&T ported number is this:

1) Verizon keeps the number temporarily (I don't know the time frame) in case you want to reactivate
2) The number then goes back to AT&T after, since it was AT&T's NPA-NXX number.

So yeah, theoretically AT&T will get it back, but the question is this: Will they let you grab it again? My guess is probably not. When I used to work with Cingular's CARE system, it gave them a range of new numbers to pick from and did not allow the rep to key one in.