Changing to Verizon

I have a T-Mobile family plan, which is poor, at best. I'm looking to go with Verizon. My contract is up on Feb. 10th. T-Mobile is telling me if I cancel my service before 2/10/06 (I need to port my phone numbers), I will be charged an ETF. If I cancel on 2/11/06, I will be charged for an extra month. So, do I have to have Verizon port these numbers on 2/10 exactly, or can I do this between 1/10 and 2/10 and just pay my last bill to satisfy my contract?

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pec2b, I'm not quite sure what the problem is. If it's signal, I would recommend the Personal Coverage Check tool available on www.t-mobile.com. If you happen to use that tool and notice that you should be getting GREAT signal, then it could just be the phones you are using. Now, there are a number of different family plans that have come out since February 10th of last year. I'm sure that one of them will suit you. T-Mobile rate plans offer more minutes than Verizon usually for less $$. Since Verizon requires a 2 year contract, I assume that you have no trouble with 2 year contracts. Call customer care on february 10th, and see what kind of deals you can get on phones if you extend your T-Mobile contract for 2 years. Extending your contract does not disqualify you from changing rate plans. You would still be able to change your rate plan within the 2 year period.

The money part all depends on when your billing cycle ends. You can port your numbers out anytime after your contract is up. Since T-Mobile bills you for the PRIOR month of service, your final bill would be PRORATED up to the last day of service with T-Mobile. So to clarify, you would not pay for a wasted month.

I really hope you stay with T-Mobile. Best of luck to you.

verizon does have 1 year contracts. but you get a better price on phones with a 2 year.

T-Mobile customers always start with a one year contract. When a T-Mobile customer is looking to upgrade their phone, there is usually three different options:

1) Phone w/ no contract extension (Full retail price)
2) Phone w/ 1 year contract extension (discount minus any available rebates*)
3) Phone w/ 2 year contract extension (biggest discount minus any available rebates*)


Phone prices vary depending on how long it has been since your last phone upgrade, and if you have maintained a qualifying rate plan over the past 11 CONSECUTIVE months (22 months if under a 2 year agreement).

Contrary to popular belief, you do not necessarily get a better price when you are out of contract. e.g., You may be out of contract but have not been on a qualifying rate plan for the past 11 CONSECUTIVE (22 if under a 2 year agreement) months.

Customers who choose to do a phone upgrade with a 2 year extension receive a phenomenal deal on discounted phone prices. However, they must wait 22 months before being eligible for ANY discount on a new phone. Even if a customer extends their contract by 2 years to get a better discount on a phone, the limited manufacturer warranty is still only 1 year. I advise all customers doing an upgrade with a 2 year extension to get a leather case for their phone and/or equipment protection.

*Customers who meet the following criteria are eligible for the BEST discount AND mail in rebates.

IF under a 1 year agreement: 11 consecutive months on a qualifying rate plan AND 11 months since last upgrade

IF under a 2 year agreement: 22 consecutive months on a qualifying rate plan AND 22 months since last upgrade

QUALIFYING RATE PLANS are as follows;
FOR INDIVIDUAL LINES OF SERVICE: any individual rate plan $39.99 or higher
FOR FAMILYTIME LINES OF SERVICE: any familytime rate plan $69.99 or higher
(additional features do not count towards monthly rate plan price)

If you can please, OBXVZW21, please post the upgrade criteria for Verizon as well as any questions you may have about T-Mobile.

pec2b, I hope this helps.
Thanks

Get a free phone (up to $100) every two years. You’re automatically enrolled when you sign up and maintain two years of service on a select digital calling plan with monthly access of $34.99 or higher. At the end of the two years, renew your service for another two years and you will qualify for a new digital phone up to a $100 value! Or you can receive a $100 credit toward the purchase of a new phone. Either way, you’ll be sure to have the latest wireless technology.

You must retain the same wireless handset for 24 months in order to receive the full advantages of this program. If you choose to replace your handset at a discounted price prior to completing 24 months of enrollment in the program, you will forfeit your benefits and be automatically reenrolled in the program. If you enrolled in the program on or after 11/25/02, you must take advantage of the New Every Two offer within six months of becoming eligible; otherwise, you may be charged full retail price to upgrade your current handset. Discount amount will be applied toward the two-year Customer Agreement retail price. Additional Family SharePlan® lines are not eligible to participate in the program. The amount of any available mail-in rebate may apply against and reduce the amount of the New Every Two credit.


You are automatically enrolled in our New Every Two program when you sign up for a digital calling plan with a monthly access of $34.99 or higher with a two-year Customer Agreement. If you maintain your service on a calling plan of $34.99 or higher and fulfill your two-year Customer Agreement, you will qualify for a free phone (up to $100 value) or get up to $100 toward the purchase of your next wireless phone when you renew service on a digital calling plan with a monthly access of $34.99 or higher for another two years of service with Verizon Wireless.

taken directly from Verizonwireless.com

Seems like T-Mobile has a better upgrade program. Currently, if a customer has met the criteria for BEST DISCOUNT pricing, and say... Would like to purchase a silver motorola Razr. . . Here is the pricing:

Discount for Upgrade w/ 1 Year Extension
$330.00 (full retail price)
- $130.00 (instant IN STORE discount w/ 1 year ext)
- $50.00 (mail in rebate)
=$149.99 FINAL PRICE OF MOTO RAZR $180 IN DISCOUNTS!


Discount for Upgrade w/ 2 Year Extension
$330.00 (full retail price)
-$180.00 (instant IN STORE discount w/ 2 year ext)
- $50.00 (mail in rebate)
= $99.99 FINAL PRICE OF MOTO RAZR $230 IN DISCOUNTS!

Thanks everyone for all of the information. The problem is that T-Mobile isn't an option. I don't get service in or around my house (recently moved). I don't get service in or around my work place (recently changed jobs) and my daughter, who is on my shared plan, doesn't get service at her work. So no matter how go the T-Mobile deal is, it won't be good enough. I did call 611 and the customer service person was very helpful supplying the date that my contract is up, and suggested that before I port out, to call them back, just to verify that it is up,
So thanks again.

pec2b, I'm sorry to hear that. Best of luck with Verizon, or any other company that you decide to go with. Our network is continuously expanding, please keep us in mind for the future. Thank you for being a T-Mobile customer.