Who "OWNS" Telephone Numbers

[YuccaFlatsRanch]

I have a new cell phone from a company called Pocket Communications BUT have to have a number from a neighboring town (in fact I could have a number from any neighboring town) because Kerrville Telephone Company ( I can't remember their current name - they were just purchased for the 2nd time recently) won't release local telephone numbers to my carrier. The carrier has purchased 10,000 numbers, but KTC won't let them use them.

Do I complain to the FCC, to my Congressman to complain to the FCC, or should I go to the local newspaper to get them to investigate and write a story on why. The newspaper seems inclined to do the story. Maybe I should do all of the above.

I also know that in 2003 the FCC voted 5-0 to guarantee me the right to keep my old landline number when changing to all cellular service. I think they called it number portability.

[DenverGirlie]

you have the right to switch your cell phone numbers between cell phone providers. I have never heard that you have the right to switch a land line to a cell phone. I might be wrong, but I don't think I am.

[YuccaFlatsRanch]

You are wrong. See here http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...one-rule_x.htm

[littlebitfarm]

I switched my landline number to my cell phone about 2 years ago. You have to activate the cell phone and request the number before you get the land line turned off.

Kathie

[YuccaFlatsRanch]

Threat to go to Congressman and local paper worked. Voila - local numbers available today.

[Trixie]

I would like to know for sure.

My husband got his Verizon phone while in AZ. He was happy with it, after the first bill, and used it for 3 years. We decided when we went on the road to work, we would get me a cell phone also because sometimes we are not in one place long enough to warrant getting a regular phone.

He wanted to keep his AZ number since so many of his customers had that number and they told him he could not keep it, if we were going to have a joint account. In other words, two phones on the same account and my phone to have a TExas number.

We did end up changing his number to a Texas number.

WE got back here to stay a while. He was working west of here and his phone wouldn't work. His old Verizon phone had worked, a little problem with the hills and valleys, but it worked.

He called Verizon and they said they had lost their service in that area. Now this guy sold us a phone that quit working about 3 miles outside our hometown. We chose numbers here in this area code, and the man didn't tell us. The area code doesn't stop where the service stops, so he could have sold someone service that didn't work at all.

To explain, we were in Beaumont Texas at the time we got these phones.

They did cancel the account with no penalty and are refunding some money - but why didn't the guy know where the service area stopped. He swore it could be used all over Texas. I don't know if he didn't know or what.

We have to get new cell phones, but what with this and our fleecing by Dish Network, I am getting leary of being a party to any contract.