Porting Procedures?

[christcorp]

Hey Tim; was wondering if you could post here. I've had a couple of people ask about porting into VoipO. Some are our beta testers; (Including myself). Have you come up with a VoipO specific LOA to be filled out? Could you provide the following clarification for those of us who want to port to VoipO.

1. LOA required (Special Instructions if Needed)
2. Copy of recent Voip bill or similar documents
3. Fax or email address where we can send it to you. (Email; scanned signed documents and emailed to voipo.
4. Any other instructions.

Thanks..... Mike.......

P.S. Update: Tim, correct me if I'm wrong; but I have the info if anyone is interested in porting to voipo.

When you're ready, we just need a LOA and a bill copy or something printed that shows your name/number. Level3 just wants to see something on paper with the number basically.

Here is the LOA: http://voipo.com/GenericLOA.pdf

The number would be in all fields (beginning/end refers to a range of numbers). Just fax it with documentation to 832-426-7700.

[VOIPoTim]

I'll post an updated VOIPo branded LOA that is a little easier to fill out in terms of what it's asking for before public launch (need to have it approved by Level3 first). We're eventually going to move to filling it out online and it generating a PDF to print and sign.

For now here is what we're working with: http://voipo.com/GenericLOA.pdf

Here's a breakdown of the fields it currently uses:

Company Name: Your Name

Address: Mailing Address on File with Provider

Provider: Provider (ViaTalk, Lingo, etc)

Number Begin: Number to Port

Number End: Number to Port

BTN: Number to Port (or primary number if porting a virtual)

Requested Date: Blank/Does Not Matter Unless Scheduling Way In Advance

Order Number: Blank - N/A


Along with the LOA, we also need a copy of a recent bill or a printout from your provider. Something that shows number/name on the same page is preferred. Level3 just looks at this to match it up. If using ViaTalk or another Tier-2 ITSP, this won't even be verified, but Level3 will not process without seeing something on paper.

Just fax these to 832-426-7700 or e-mail to support@voipo.com and we'll submit.

Average processing time is about 2 weeks, but could take up to 30-45 days or be completed in just a few days.

If anyone has any questions, just let us know.

[christcorp]

Thanks Tim. I just faxed you'all my porting paperwork. My packet8 account uses Level-3 the same as VoipO, so hopefully it will be pretty quick. thx... mike....

[VOIPoTim]

Thanks Tim. I just faxed you'all my porting paperwork. My packet8 account uses Level-3 the same as VoipO, so hopefully it will be pretty quick. thx... mike....

Yeah, we got it and I submitted it already.

You'd think Level3 internal ports would be quicker, but really they're not any faster than an outside one. Level3 is a very compartmentalized company and doesn't do anything from within

[christcorp]

Another question please. I think it might be of interest to many of the alpha/beta testers. When my port comes through; will it be a "New" (3rd) number on my account with the 2 voipo beta test numbers? Thus, do I need to fire up line 2 on one of my ATA's. OR, can it automatically REPLACE one of my 2 voipo beta/test lines? (Preferably the one with the SAME AREA CODE)?

Just wondering what the procedure will be for us for the LEAST amount of downtime. For the average new customer, they are normally set up a temp number with the new provider, and the ported number automatically replaces that. Just wondering if I needed to communicate WHICH voip number to replace or being those were ALPHA/BETA and aren't being charged monthly fees, if you wanted to leave them alone and add the ported number as a 3rd number; thus ready to start a "BILLED ACCOUNT". (I HAVE PLENTY OF ATA's so don't worry about that). Obviously, I don't have a credit card on file, normal paying account, etc....

Anyway, whichever way you want to go is cool. Again, I just brought it up in the public forum because I assume there will be quite a few of the beta testers who will want to port, and they will probably have the same questions. Thx.... Mike......

[NY Tel Guy]

Another question please. I think it might be of interest to many of the alpha/beta testers. When my port comes through; will it be a "New" (3rd) number on my account with the 2 voipo beta test numbers? Thus, do I need to fire up line 2 on one of my ATA's. OR, can it automatically REPLACE one of my 2 voipo beta/test lines? (Preferably the one with the SAME AREA CODE)?

Just wondering what the procedure will be for us for the LEAST amount of downtime. For the average new customer, they are normally set up a temp number with the new provider, and the ported number automatically replaces that. Just wondering if I needed to communicate WHICH voip number to replace or being those were ALPHA/BETA and aren't being charged monthly fees, if you wanted to leave them alone and add the ported number as a 3rd number; thus ready to start a "BILLED ACCOUNT". (I HAVE PLENTY OF ATA's so don't worry about that). Obviously, I don't have a credit card on file, normal paying account, etc....

Anyway, whichever way you want to go is cool. Again, I just brought it up in the public forum because I assume there will be quite a few of the beta testers who will want to port, and they will probably have the same questions. Thx.... Mike......

I ported a number from VT and then asked Tim to disconnect my "trial" number so I only have 1 number now with Voipo.

[VOIPoTim]

Mike,

It's really up to you. Just PM and let me know how you want to do it.

Right now, we've just been setting up a new account and then handling the existing account the way the user wants it handled whether that's cancelling it or making it a virtual number on the ported account.

If users have a provisioned ATA, we can automatically re-provision their ATA for the new account if that's what they want.

With mutliple accounts sometimes people have different ways they want to handle them, so it's currently handled on a case by case now with the default being entirely new/seperate accounts.

Another question please. I think it might be of interest to many of the alpha/beta testers. When my port comes through; will it be a "New" (3rd) number on my account with the 2 voipo beta test numbers? Thus, do I need to fire up line 2 on one of my ATA's. OR, can it automatically REPLACE one of my 2 voipo beta/test lines? (Preferably the one with the SAME AREA CODE)?

Just wondering what the procedure will be for us for the LEAST amount of downtime. For the average new customer, they are normally set up a temp number with the new provider, and the ported number automatically replaces that. Just wondering if I needed to communicate WHICH voip number to replace or being those were ALPHA/BETA and aren't being charged monthly fees, if you wanted to leave them alone and add the ported number as a 3rd number; thus ready to start a "BILLED ACCOUNT". (I HAVE PLENTY OF ATA's so don't worry about that). Obviously, I don't have a credit card on file, normal paying account, etc....

Anyway, whichever way you want to go is cool. Again, I just brought it up in the public forum because I assume there will be quite a few of the beta testers who will want to port, and they will probably have the same questions. Thx.... Mike......

[N9MD]

Do we have a way of knowing if the porting documentation (LOA, prior carrier website printout, etc.) has been received by VOIPo and the port has been initiated. I faxed my stuff several days ago --- and am curious to know if my ViaTalk to VOIPo number port is underway. Incidentally, I'm bringing my main NJ home number over to VOIPo --- the one we use consistently for friends and family --- so VOIPo should feel honored. (LOL)

[usa2k]

Do we have a way of knowing if the porting documentation (LOA, prior carrier website printout, etc.) has been received by VOIPo and the port has been initiated. (LOL)

It went faster than I thought, and I IM'd Tim because I had no clue if what I sent was received.

They should send an acknowledgment so hundreds of new customers are not asking for their individual cases to be checked won't onesy-twosey overload them..

[christcorp]

Yes, I was sort of wondering the same thing. Not for me personally, but for future customers. if there's a way to tell the status of their port. For me, it's easy. My wife or kids tell me that the phone doesn't work anymore. Or, I get a PM/Email from Tim/Voipo telling me to change credentials on one of my voipo Beta Numbers or for a new account to set up another adapter. I'm not too worried.

Then again, I do not consider phones as IMPORTANT as a lot of people do. It totally mystifies me when I see people on cell phones constantly; in the car, at work, walking down the street, etc... You can't help listen in on occasion to realize how UNIMPORTANT the phone call is. yet, many people think it's life or death. If my home line goes out for a day or two while I transfer things around from packet8 to voipo; oh well. I'm old (46); I remember the days before Al Gore invented the internet; when VHS first came out; before cable/satellite tv; etc... It doesn't bother me.

For the new customers, it should be relatively painless. They apply for an account with VoipO. They get a VoipO number. When they are satisfied they like voipo, they start the Porting Process. Somewhere on the porting paperwork, it should have a box to check that says; "REPLACE MY VOIPO PROVIDED NUMBER WITH THE NUMBER BEING PORTED". Then, the customer will know that when their Original number/adapter no longer works, that the number should be transferred to their VoipO adapter. Thus, start using that one. Hopefully, this is the way Tim has it planned. Later... Mike....

P.S. USA; did you remember after the port to contact PACKET8 and cancel your account? Many people think that the NEW provider automatically cancels your OLD account. That isn't true. MANY providers won't allow any cancellations or changes unless it's from the original customer. Just wondering if you are still getting billed by Packet8 or if you called them? Later... Mike....