When good time to change to PM...

[inPicton]

I have ordered a SIM card. Should be here near end of week. Am wondering if anyone knows when things are back to normal after the fall promotion? Am with Virgin now but would rather switch to PM when wait-time is normal to port from Virgin to Public Mobile. 

What is the normal wait time, anyway?

Regards, Paul.

[inPicton]

I have just finished re-reading this thread and now makes much more sense to me. I am looking forward to making the switch, and once I'm up and running, informing friends and acquaintences about Public Mobile. Am planning on doing as suggested and will let you know how things work out. I don't expect any problems based upon all of the great help on this forum.

Thanks very much!

[SD08]

The chance of an activation error occurring if you attempt to port your number at the same time is, although low, not insignificant. Public Mobile has even admitted so here:
http://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Announcements/Doing-wireless-different-has-its-ups-and...
Quoting the relevant portion:
"Separate the activation from the port. If you do the activation first you will have your account setup and ready to go. You can then log into self-serve and complete your port. This prevents incorrect porting information from affecting your activation."

My advice is, do the activation of your account and the porting of your old number as two separate steps, not in the same operation, even if you only wait a few minutes between each step. After you activate your SIM, verify that all parts of your PM service are working (data, voice, text, both incoming and outgoing) before you port your old number in. At least then if you hit an activation error, you haven't compounded it with a port, and you'll probably still have you old service to use while you wait for a moderator to help.  At most, this extra step will take you a few extra minutes to dump your old service provider, but if that helps reduce the risk of going without any service for more than a week, isn't that worth it?

[kav2001c]

@inPicton I suspect failure rate is very low like 1%

Its just we see all those 1% post online and the silent 99% do not

[inPicton]

"If you want to both take a temporary new number with Public Mobile -AND- keep your old number for a while, then you'll need to pay both providers to keep both services running, at least temporarily.  You'll need to keep two SIMs active, one for each number, not necessarily two phones.  You can use both SIMs with the same phone if that phone is unlocked."

I would much rather not take a temporary new number and keep my old (present) number.

What are the odds of something going wrong if, when my SIM arrives, I sign up and transfer my Virgin number to Public at the same time, say late on a Sunday night?

Thanks again.

[SD08]

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@kav2001c wrote:

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@SDO8 wrote:

To clarify, they give you tons of numbers to choose from only at sign-up time.  They'll even let you customise the last 4 digits.  However, if you want to change your new number afterward, they will only show you a few choices at a time, and no last 4 digits customization.  It's best to spend a bit of extra time selecting a good number during sign-up if you think you might want to keep the new number.

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@SD08 & @Korth 

This must be fairly new... last phone I personally activated this was NOT the case (it was the opposite actually)

I had 3 personal lines under Public and all of them I found far better numbers during number changes than at activation time

I suspect this new feature was changed because many people (such as myself) used to do so many number changes 

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Yeah, I guess it's new then.  I signed up in November and there was a buffet of numbers to choose from upon activation.  Just now, I tried the "Change Phone Number" function in my self-serve and they show a measly five numbers to choose from.  You can refresh and get a new set of five numbers, but that could take an awful long time to find something you like, if you're picky.  Another thing:  At activation, they offered some 647 numbers along with 437s for Toronto, but going back to change it now, I don't see anything other than 437s with several refreshes, so that's another reason to select a good number when you have the chance.

[kav2001c]

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@SDO8 wrote:

To clarify, they give you tons of numbers to choose from only at sign-up time.  They'll even let you customise the last 4 digits.  However, if you want to change your new number afterward, they will only show you a few choices at a time, and no last 4 digits customization.  It's best to spend a bit of extra time selecting a good number during sign-up if you think you might want to keep the new number.

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@SD08 & @Korth 

This must be fairly new... last phone I personally activated this was NOT the case (it was the opposite actually)

I had 3 personal lines under Public and all of them I found far better numbers during number changes than at activation time

I suspect this new feature was changed because many people (such as myself) used to do so many number changes 

[zoomzoom87]

Use account number and not imei unless you know for sure that imei is registered to your account

[SD08]

If you want to both take a temporary new number with Public Mobile -AND- keep your old number for a while, then you'll need to pay both providers to keep both services running, at least temporarily.  You'll need to keep two SIMs active, one for each number, not necessarily two phones.  You can use both SIMs with the same phone if that phone is unlocked.

[inPicton]

"Keep using your old phone until the port is done. It usually only takes a few minutes to a few hours, what we're seeing with ports failing for days is rather unusual."

In order to take a temporary number from PM, and not port the number I want to keep/end up with, does that mean I need to have 2 cellphone? One number on each phone, one with each provider?

[Jonavin]

@inPicton the down side is that you keep paying your old carrier to keep it active. You can port a year from now if you want but that's not economical. I'd say don't bother until you are ready to port. Keep using your old phone until the port is done. It usually only takes a few minutes to a few hours, what we're seeing with ports failing for days is rather unusual.

[ShawnC13]

When is a good time for me it was as soon as possible to start saving money.  My ports went through just fine and I have been saving money ever since.  I had read a few posts about issues befoer I started mine but it was earlier in the promotion before it got totally crazy in here and I was just very careful when providing the information for porting and all was good.

[SD08]

My previous post concerns the new number that PM provides upon sign-up. That number can be changed free of charge once per billing period. It has nothing to do with any number that you port in, which would of course be a number that you are already using with another carrier.

Yes, sign up with a new, temporary number from PM first, then at some future time, port in your old number from your previous service provider. It is highly recommended to NOT do the port at the same time as your sign-up/activation, as that has caused problems for many customers. As for how long to wait before you do the port? I would advise waiting until the help request queue has returned to normal, but that would also depend on how long you can afford to keep both services running.

[inPicton]

"To clarify, they give you tons of numbers to choose from only at sign-up time.  They'll even let you customise the last 4 digits.  However, if you want to change your new number afterward, they will only show you a few choices at a time, and no last 4 digits customization.  It's best to spend a bit of extra time during sign-up if you think you might want to keep the new number."

Being used for business, yes, I definitely need to keep my present cellphone number. Just to be clear, you recommend that I select a temporary number. Then at some future date, go back in and so-called, "port" or change the number?

To me, that sounds kind of clunky. If I chose a PM number, what happens to the phone number I want to keep?

And is there a recommended timeframe for swapping phone numbers?

[SD08]

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@Korth wrote:

Yup, you can pick from a ton of unused/available phone numbers, lol.  I think I spent a little too much time finding the one that I thought was "perfect".  You can then change your number at any time, and at no cost, I think, although I don't really know and have never done this because I really like my "perfect" number.

But Number Ports through multiple carriers must be handled with more care.  Once a number has been used, it goes to a pool of inactive numbers for a long time (six months?) before it can be reassigned.  So if you want to ensure you keep your phone number you have to let it happen properly.

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To clarify, they give you tons of numbers to choose from only at sign-up time.  They'll even let you customise the last 4 digits.  However, if you want to change your new number afterward, they will only show you a few choices at a time, and no last 4 digits customization.  It's best to spend a bit of extra time selecting a good number during sign-up if you think you might want to keep the new number.

[Korth]

Yup, you can pick from a ton of unused/available phone numbers, lol.  I think I spent a little too much time finding the one that I thought was "perfect".  You can then change your number at any time, and at no cost, I think, although I don't really know and have never done this because I really like my "perfect" number.

But Number Ports through multiple carriers must be handled with more care.  Once a number has been used, it goes to a pool of inactive numbers for a long time (six months?) before it can be reassigned.  So if you want to ensure you keep your phone number you have to let it happen properly.

[inPicton]

Lots of good information!

"Main advice I would give is activate a temporary number first, once account is open THEN do number change to port in your Virgin number."

I assume from the above, there is an option during the process to pick a Public Mobile phone number? Pick the number, then do the "port" from Virgin to Public at a later date?

Thank you all.

[kav2001c]

@inPicton the actual activation + port should only take an hour tops. Yes there are numerous bugs from last promo, but in general I see no reason system should not just work.

Main advice I would give is activate a temporary number first, once account is open THEN do number change to port in your Virgin number.

The problem is IF you run into an issue there are 2 places it normally happens; activation or port.

IF you have an issue it seems 7 to 14 days is turnaround time to get everything fixed.

[Korth]

If a number port is done correctly it takes a few hours - both carriers and numerous database registries need to intercommunicate and sync up with the same data.  I agree with the advice of doing it at night, just restart/reboot your device the next morning and it'll use the next number.

If a number port is done incorrectly it often requires the intervention of PM staff to correct.  Current wait time for the mods is apparently expected to be around 12 days.  You'd have to pay for both carriers during this wait and perhaps some days longer (because the mods cannot always correct bad number ports immediately, it can take a few days).  I wouldn't risk it, personally, if keeping the number is important, I don't know how long the number can sit in limbo before it's lost forever.

[inPicton]

"Yes to all three.  If done incorrectly, it would require you to get the help of a moderator, which would take up to two weeks."

That's where I was going wrong. I was under the misconception that if all goes well, at this time, it will take 2 weeks for the entire process. 

That's good to know.

[SD08]

Yes to all three.  If done incorrectly, it would require you to get the help of a moderator, which would take up to two weeks.

[inPicton]

If I understand correctly, I should do it at night when servers aren't as busy.

If done correctly, the change should take a few hours?

Only if done incorrectly, it takes 2-ish weeks?

[inPicton]

Ooops. Sorry. That 80-dollar payment was for some overdue stuff. Normally, it's abouty 57-ish. 

[Rockdaddy22]

OMG $80 what do you get for that.

[Luddite]

Wait if you wish but if you are careful no problem. Here's some reading for you:

http://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Getting-Started/The-Guide-to-Headache-Free-PM-Signup/m...

And some bits and pieces from around the forum:

- clear browser cache and turn off ad/popup blockers

- on the personal info page shorten your name(s) if more than 10 letters

- do not request the port-in during activation; take a temporary number, log out, confirm all services are active, log back into your account and select Transfer Number under Change Phone Number

- do not use any identifier except your account number EXACTLY as shown on your bill; it is the best item for any port-in request

- do not make any errors in the Authourized User; this must be EXACTLY as it appears on your bill

- do not use your number as the Alternate Number; use someone else's

- do not forget to click "I am authourized ...." BEFORE you entering your number (courtesy imm1304)

- do not cancel your account; that will happen automatically

[inPicton]

Thanks to both of  you for that good information.

This time of year, I'm not using my cellphone as much. If I wait too long, the Xmas rush will kick in, if not already. I think that I will bite the bullet and port as soon as I get the sim and tough it out.

My Virgin Mobile December payment of $80.18 went through today...

[Korth]

Normal wait time was same day.  One or several mods always online during (Ontario) weekday business hours.  Sending a private message to an online mod usually got almost immediate response, less than an hour of back and forth private messaging to explain details and answer questions, and maybe another hour for the problem fix to filter through the system.

Posting problems invites community assistance - and some people here (like the Oracles) are serious jedi masters when it comes to fixing phone problems, I am surprised at some of their answers and surprised that they almost always work.  There's also sometimes a little wrong advice or bad advice, sometimes thread hijacks by other (frustrated) people, lol, so it's always best to wait for more opinions or googlecheck everything.  Public posts also allow you to flag (all) the mods - they apparently have a system in place for responding interchangeably to these calls - and I'm unsure if this system extends to private messages (which might only address one specific mod).

I would personally wait until next month before switching to PM, lol, definitely too much backlog right now and probably too much backlash in upcoming weeks.  You might be able to accomplish the transition flawlessly through self-serve - many people, most people have done so without issue - but right now there are technical problems and if you are unfortunate enough to have a technical problem then you could be stuck with no working phone service for (it looks like) a couple of weeks.

If you're planning on porting your number than you can save yourself a lot of worry by activating (and paying for) your service on PM maybe a week before your existing service gets terminated.  And do all the number porting through one side (preferably PM's side, so you can get PM's support) instead of involving both carriers, or things can get confused and delayed and botched.  Giving yourself a week overlap should easily allow a few days and a few days more to correct and recover from any problems, basically insurance that the number won't be lost.

[Rockdaddy22]

I don't know why Dave said that, I really wish he wouldn't of. Most of the failedi see are due to wrong imei or pin. Account is pretty easy to get right.

[UDP7]

@Rockdaddy22 I'm curious then as to why Dave_M recommended using the IMEI number when porting in this post. http://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Announcements/Doing-wireless-different-has-its-ups-and...

[Rockdaddy22]

I'd only use account number when porting

[UDP7]

Honestly, if you look at the forums constantly, obviously it's going to scare you because that's where people are going to post about their problems, but you have to realize this is just a small percentage of people having problems. Majority of people ported their number with no problems.

What I suggest is port your number in the evening when the servers aren't stressed a lot and also that the porting process can happen during night time when you sleep (when you're not using your phone). Also, the main concern is inputting the correct information when porting a phone number. Make sure it's the correct account number, IMEI, etc. (whatever you're inputting, double check, triple check) and don't put dashes (heard that can screw it up) if needed.