# Telephone Number Portablity And Area Codes **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 11, 2003, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telephone-number-portablity-and-area-codes/218247 "2003-12-11T00:59:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telephone-number-portablity-and-area-codes/218247/1 "2003-12-11T00:59:03Z")
What is the status of this? What I mean is it is my understanding that if I have a land based telephone number I can switch it to a cell phone. Also vice versa. First of all is this assumption correct? Second. I go to get a cell phone and since I am in Chicago they ask me if I want a 773 number or a 312 number. (312 covers downtown and an extended area outside of downtown. 773 is the rest of Chicago in the city limits) So I live in 773 and have a 773 phone number. So I go get a cell phone and say I want a cell phone with a 312 number. I get this. So am I now able to take this 312 number on my cell phone and switch it to my house (which is 773) and effectively get a 312 number for my house? ---
**Author:** ![Merhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Merhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merhouse)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telephone-number-portablity-and-area-codes/218247/2 "2003-12-11T03:40:24Z")
You might want to take a look at [http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/NumberPortability/](http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/NumberPortability/) In part, it says: > [@](#): > > What is wireless number portability (WLNP)? > WLNP is a wireless consumer’s ability to change service providers within the same local area and still keep the same phone number. > > WLNP will allow consumers to switch from one wireless carrier to another within the same general metropolitan area. It does not allow consumers to keep the same phone number when moving to a new town or city. **(Since 312 and 773 aren’t overlay area codes, I ass|u|me they are considered a “new town or city.”)** > > WLNP also allows consumers to move a phone number from a wireline phone to a wireless phone in some cases. Logically, I’d say you would probably not be able to have a number with an “out of area” area code, but I don’t see where it specifically says that. Hope this is at least some help 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fernmeldetruppe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@Fernmeldetruppe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fernmeldetruppe)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telephone-number-portablity-and-area-codes/218247/3 "2003-12-11T13:50:51Z")
1. Yes. 2. Yes. As long as you don’t have to dial a “1” to dial from 312 to 773, then you can move the number around within that rate center (Chicagoland, in this case). (rate center = your local calling area. It could be a group of small rural towns or a large metropolitan area.) Keep in mind that your plan may cost you time and/or money to implement. The cell carrier is going to want lock you into a rate plan for a year or two. Breaking that contract will cost you. ---
**Author:** ![SuperNelson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@SuperNelson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuperNelson)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/telephone-number-portablity-and-area-codes/218247/4 "2003-12-11T16:33:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Markxxx \* > \*\*What is the status of this? What I mean is it is my understanding that if I have a land based telephone number I can switch it to a cell phone. Also vice versa. First of all is this assumption correct? > \*\* Not entirely correct. The FCC link **Merhouse** provided notes that “WLNP also allows consumers to move a phone number from a wireline phone to a wireless phone in some cases.” There is currently no provision for porting a wireless number to a wireline phone. This is one of the major points of contention from the wireline carriers regarding WLNP. The rationale for number portability is to encourage competition between carriers. As the rules currently exist, the wireless carriers can compete by converting wireline numbers to wireless service, but there is no way for a wireline carrier to compete by converting a wireless number to a wireline service.