Converting to Shared Everything and porting a number into a current contract/line?

**rcmcdonald91** · 08-10-2012, 08:16 PM

First, let me outline my current situation and then I will outline my proposed outcome! Here goes...

I have an old Nationwide Talk&Text 700 minute plan that is shared across 3 phones (2 basic phones + 1 smart phone). The smart phone has unlimited data. All three phones are still under contract and are NOT eligible for a hardware upgrade. The 1 smart phone is mine btw!

My father currently has a Blackberry Storm 2 on a corporate account. He requires unlimited talk and text and about 500MB of data per month (which is a very conservative estimate). However, his company is phasing out Blackberries and requiring employees to "bring their own device". He will be required to provide his own device (iPhone or Android-based) and service and they will reimburse him for the service cost.

Okay, here is the proposed situation:

I am VERY interested in getting a new phone. I don't care about my Verizon phone number because I've been using my Google Voice number for almost 2 years now. I'm going to probably buy a Galaxy Nexus (GSM) and give Pre-paid a spin. My father is willing to take my previously enjoyed Thunderbolt (which is in near mint condition). However, this is where things get a little interesting. My father's company will reimburse him up to $90 for service. Right now, if he went to a Verizon store and opened a new account with a new phone (transferring his old number over from the corporate account, through an A.O.L), he would get the $50/month 1GB shared + $40 smart phone access = $90. Simple. However, his account can still have 9 more devices (e.g. the basic phones from my old plan). This is perfect because the 2 basic phones only need talking and text! Which would mean that service for the 2 basic phones would only be ~$60 out of pocket expense. Which is A LOT less than the current plan (Which is $80 + Additional Line Charges).

My dad needs to keep his old number. The corporate account is all primed and ready for transferring (employees have already began this process during early summer). My question is two fold: 1) Can my account be easily converted to Shared Everything and 2) Can my dad's old number be transferred into my smart phone line (replacing my old number) without having to pay an ETF?

The "plan b" would be for him to keep my current number and I will just port his old number to Google Voice (and forward it to the current number). That would be completely independent of Verizon and we be a very capable workaround! And he would then be able to take advantage of all of the powerful features of Google Voice without having to direct people to a new phone number.

**jamesstarks15** · 08-10-2012, 09:49 PM

1) yes your account can convert to share everything very easily

2) if your dad has an existing vzw number, he can't replace your number with his and avoid the etf.

You could see if someone would like to assume liability of your contract and number. Many people would like unlimited data that you are willingly giving up. Then your dad can set up his account, and AOL your two basic phone lines onto his plan.

Best of luck.

**rcmcdonald91** · 08-11-2012, 10:42 AM

Sorry, I forgot to add that my dad's contract (and his number) is already ended. According to the corporate account, it ended about a month ago. So he would just need to transfer his number into my number. Would ther e still be an ETF for this?

Also, I would love to give somebody my unlimited data plan through assumption of liability but I don't think Verizon is allowing this practice anymore. There has been at least 4 posts just over the past few days that address this very concern.