Phone Number Port Over Fee

[andyhxl]

Hi, I paid the fee for phone number port over, and got the email notification already. Then I received a call from my current phone service provider, saiding they would charge 25$ for phone number port over. My question is for one phone number port over transaction, do I get charged 25$ by freephoneline only or I get charged 2* 25$ by frephoneline and my current phone service provider, thanks.

[Mango]

Last year I asked your question to the CRTC. Their response was: "Telecom providers are not permitted to charge an arbitrary fee nor are they permitted to refuse porting a specific number upon request."

They were referring to the losing carrier. In other words, your new service provider (FreePhoneLine) is allowed to charge you the fee. Your old service provider cannot charge a fee to release the number. Unfortunately I don't have a published document that says this, but that is a direct copy/paste from the email I received.

Should the losing service provider insist on the fee, you can ask FreePhoneLine to "file an anti competitive dispute with the CRTC". They are not required to do this for you, but there is no harm in asking.

Out of curiosity, what is the name of your current service provider?

[andyhxl]

Hi Mango, thanks for your reply. My current service provider is CIK Telecom. However I am not sure if the agent understands what she is saying, so will wait and see what happens first, thanks again.

[andyhxl]

Hi Mango, I did get the 25$+tax charge for phone number porting from CIK Telecom, do you know how to request FreePhoneLine to "file an anti competitive dispute with the CRTC", or if possible is there a way I can do myself, thanks.

[Mango]

Did the port complete successfully? If so, an anti-competitive dispute will not help, as that is only good if CIK rejects the port.

If CIK has automatically charged your credit card, you can attempt to dispute the charge with your credit card company, but be prepared for retaliation from CIK - such as your debt being sold to a collection agency, or CIK porting the number back.

It all depends on how much time/effort you are willing to put in.

[bridonca]

It is in CIK tel's terms and agreement. Have no idea if it is legal though. I would personally eat the $25 and be done with it. Worth it never having to deal with their like again.

Porting Number Fee: Per CRTC rules, customers have the right to switch phone numbers between phone companies, but companies have to pay certain costs to get number ported. CIK might waive the porting charge during promotion period from time to time. If customers cancel porting within 3 days before the targeted porting date or terminate CIK service within 90 days from port-in date, $25 porting fee will be charged. To transfer a CIK number to another company when cancel CIK service will incur an administration fee of $25 per number.

[andyhxl]

Thanks for all your reply. I would just pay and forget about it.