How To Port Your Landline Number to a Mobile Phone
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Converting your traditional home phone service to a mobile solution can save you significant money while maintaining the familiarity of your existing phone number. In a recent episode of Hands-On Tech, host Mikah Sargent answered a listener's question about transitioning from a traditional AT&T landline to using a Google Pixel phone as a home phone alternative. Here's what you need to know if you're considering making a similar switch.
Understanding the Basics of Landline Porting
Porting your landline number to a mobile service like Google Voice allows you to maintain your existing phone number while eliminating the monthly landline fee. The listener mentioned paying $35 per month to AT&T for their landline service, which can add up to over $400 per year. By porting that number to a smartphone that stays at home connected to Wi-Fi, you essentially create a "home phone" without the traditional service fees.
Important Considerations Before Cutting Your Landline
Before you proceed with porting your number, Mikah raised several important points to consider:
True Landlines vs. VoIP Service
If you have a true physical landline rather than a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service, remember that traditional landlines work even during power or internet outages. This reliability during emergencies might be a reason to maintain your landline service, especially in areas prone to natural disasters or extended power outages.
Alarm Systems and Medical Devices
Some home security systems and medical alert devices may require a traditional landline connection to function properly. Before discontinuing your landline service, verify that none of your existing home systems depend on that physical connection.
The Porting Process
To port your landline to a service like Google Voice, you'll need to:
- Ensure your landline number meets Google Voice's porting requirements
- Contact your current provider (like AT&T) to get approval for the port
- Complete the porting process through Google Voice or your chosen service
Managing Accounts for Your New Home Phone Setup
One question raised was whether to create a new Google account specifically for the ported home phone number. Mikah offered two perspectives:
For single-person households, using your existing Google account might be simpler, keeping all your services in one place.
For multi-person households, creating a dedicated Google account for the home phone could make sense. This approach allows everyone in the household to access voicemails and settings by sharing the login information for this dedicated account.
Alternative: Negotiate with Your Current Provider
Before going through with porting, Mikah suggested contacting AT&T to inquire about better rates. Sometimes mentioning that you're considering canceling service can result in retention offers with significantly lower monthly fees.
Next Steps
If you're ready to port your landline, research the specific requirements of your chosen mobile service. Google Voice is one popular option, but other VoIP services may provide different features or pricing that better suit your needs.
Remember that once you port your number away from your traditional landline provider, that service will be discontinued, so ensure you've considered all the implications before proceeding.
