New cities for number porting

[callopsitte]

I wonder how it works for cities to be able to port their regular Bell numbers. And when it will be possible to port my number will my payment be asked a second time?

11 months ago I called FPL to get my configuration file and port my number. On the phone before giving my Visa number the FPL representative told me everything was OK (config and porting) so I paid.

Some days after I got my config file (glad I logged in my account I would have never known I had received it... thought I'd get an e-mail). But after 2 weeks I get an e-mail my number cannot be ported. When calling to get my money back (for porting) I was told no refund were possible!

So I just hoped my number could get ported in the coming year and I wouldn't have to pay again.

Now it's been 11 months. I've watched FPL adding new cities but not mine. I've even seen other VoIP providers addind new cities where porting is available that FPL don't have in their list (like St-Jérôme and Rigaud in Quebec).

So my city, Hawkesbury, Ontario is standing right in the middle of cities, not even 50 KM away, able to get number port.

So 3 Questions:

1- Although my city does have high speed internet access what stops it from being "attached" to other cities capable of number porting?

2- When will be FPL other expansions and to what cities? Is it possible to have some kind of clue as about when and where?

3- Do you keep track of payments so when porting from my city becomes possible I do get my port without paying again?

[FONGO_kris]

Can you please PM me your Freephoneline number and I will see what is up with this.

[callopsitte]

I haven't yet received a response yet although I PM you twice. Or have I PM myself? Just checking it if I did something wrong.

[FONGO_kris]

I did PM you back, looks like I did it while upgrading an add-on so it failed (oops!) I'll re-send!

[callopsitte]

I only see the 1st PM where you ask my FPL number and say you'll look into it.

So I thought I'd paste my questions here:

So my customer #: XXXXX
My FPL number: 613-366-XXXX

Phone number I wished I could get port is: 613-632-XXXX that is in Hawkesbury, Ontario (postal code: K6A 3V4).

I've done my searches and my number cannot be ported actually. (Searches done with other VoIP providers that have a search on their website, ex: Cogeco, Videotron,CallCentric, etc).

But like I wrote we have high speed here in Hawkesbury and cities 50 KM or less (south, east and west) are able to port. So I'm guessing it must be some kind of relay that is missing.

1-So what is it that makes a city inbetween not capable of porting numbers?

2-When porting will be possible for me will the porting fee I have paid then be OK (as if I invested it for that time hoping not to pay again).

3- If possible when approximately will porting be possible (a month, a season)?

[FONGO_steve]

1-So what is it that makes a city inbetween not capable of porting numbers?

2-When porting will be possible for me will the porting fee I have paid then be OK (as if I invested it for that time hoping not to pay again).

3- If possible when approximately will porting be possible (a month, a season)?

1 - Each DID range you own belongs to a certain provider, in a certain rate center. Ie. 519-804 numbers are only used in Kitchener, and only by Fibernetics (our parent company). A 519-804 number can't exist in Toronto, or London, etc. because it's a Kitchener rate center number. In traditional telephony, a landline POTS system, these numbers are uniquely tied to a physical switch inside a physical CO in the city.
In order for a company to port a phone number, they must be a CLEC. CLEC's must then get CLEC status in every single city they wish to build their network in. When a company is a recognized CLEC in a city, they can port numbers there. That's how freephoneline works - our parent company, Fibernetics, is the CLEC. As our network grows and we have coverage in more cities, not only can people sign up there, but they can port from there too.

2 - Your porting fee will always be valid! Have you paid already and then found out you can't port? We could use that towards a config purchase, or likely look into other options due to the fact we can't physically deliver service to you at this time.

3 - I'm unsure of this. Network expansion plans are always underway, but information of where we are expanding to is kept quite secret until we are ready to launch. You being able to port is dependent on us launching services in your city OR if we ever add the premium option to port off-net numbers.


ps. edited your account info out of your post. You'd be surprised at how many people prowl the internet for personal phone numbers

[callopsitte]

Many thanks for these (understandable for me) answers.

About the porting of my number. Since it is not yet portable and it may take time, I'm thinking of "changing" it. I see that the city of Alfred can port (for which btw I referred someone and should get her port in the coming days). Would it then be possible for Freephoneline to give me such a number (meaning 613-679-XXXX is a Alfred number, could it be possible that Freephoneline gives me a number starting with those 6 digits even if I don't "own" such a number)?

Thanks

[callopsitte]

Waiting response!

About the porting of my number. Since it is not yet portable and it may take time, I'm thinking of "changing" it. I see that the city of Alfred can port (for which btw I referred someone and should get her port in the coming days). Would it then be possible for Freephoneline to give me such a number (meaning 613-679-XXXX is a Alfred number, could it be possible that Freephoneline gives me a number starting with those 6 digits even if I don't "own" such a number)?

Thanks

[callopsitte]

Still waiting response!

About the porting of my number. Since it is not yet portable and it may take time, I'm thinking of "changing" it. I see that the city of Alfred can port (for which btw I referred someone and should get her port in the coming days). Would it then be possible for Freephoneline to give me such a number (meaning 613-679-XXXX is a Alfred number, could it be possible that Freephoneline gives me a number starting with those 6 digits even if I don't "own" such a number)?

Thanks

[FONGO_steve]

Still waiting response!

About the porting of my number. Since it is not yet portable and it may take time, I'm thinking of "changing" it. I see that the city of Alfred can port (for which btw I referred someone and should get her port in the coming days). Would it then be possible for Freephoneline to give me such a number (meaning 613-679-XXXX is a Alfred number, could it be possible that Freephoneline gives me a number starting with those 6 digits even if I don't "own" such a number)?

Thanks

If you want a number in a different city, you can cancel your current account and sign up for a new account based out of whatever city you want. Do remember to always keep your valid address on file for 911 purposes.

Also note that the forums here are for non-critical issues only, mostly just user-user support. For important stuff always phone us or email us, we can't guarentee that staff will be on the board everyday to address issues here.

[Bloodsong]

Also note that the forums here are for non-critical issues only, mostly just user-user support. For important stuff always phone us or email us, we can't guarentee that staff will be on the board everyday to address issues here.

Translation: We should all chip in and buy Steve and Kris a giant gift basket for easter. I chipped the idea, so everyone else can be responsible for the monies

[FONGO_kris]

Also note that the forums here are for non-critical issues only, mostly just user-user support. For important stuff always phone us or email us, we can't guarentee that staff will be on the board everyday to address issues here.

Translation: We should all chip in and buy Steve and Kris a giant gift basket for easter. I chipped the idea, so everyone else can be responsible for the monies

That sounds excellent idea Bloodsong