How to Convert Line Phone to Wireless
By John Walker
Wireless coverage blankets the nation with only a few geographic areas having limited to no coverage. DSL, cable and satellite Internet have taken the place of most dial-up Internet service providers. Users even have options for Internet faxing, which is the last major use of landline phones. The main need and convenience of a home phone is the security of having a phone that does not need to be charged each night. Converting your home landline to a wireless phone only requires choosing the wireless provider.
Research the coverage maps from different service providers. Identify a provider that gives good coverage in your area, as well as any area that you visit often. Excellent coverage in your area does not mean excellent coverage where you may travel.
Purchase a cell phone from your chosen provider. New contracts are typically two-year agreements in exchange for a significantly discounted phone. The best prices are found online and in stores.
Tell the provider that you want to "port" your number from your current landline carrier. Porting is the process of reassigning your phone number from one carrier to the other. You can only port your phone number if you are remaining in the same area code. The wireless provider will need the phone number, account number and any account passwords.
Activate the cell phone by contacting the provider. The number will be ported over in approximately three to five days. You can immediately use the phone for outgoing calls, and incoming calls may ring to the device after 30 minutes. The full porting process takes about seven days.
Contact the provider after seven days if phone calls are still ringing to your landline. Test the process by dialing your number from another landline.
Tips
- The porting process is required by the FCC for all phone providers. You can take your phone number to any wireless provider, landline provider or "Voice Over Internet" provider, as long as you remain in the same geographic region.