AboutDebiN Expertise I can answer questions on cellular phones, the physical device, the network, contracts, billing, ordering, porting and what to look for when purchasing cell phones. I am located in the United States. I am an expert on BlackBerrys, Treos, HTC devices and iPhones as well as cellphones and aircards. I have over 15 years of experience in both the wireless and wireline world with the carriers. I have a lot of knowledge regarding the wireless providers - their services, prices and policies, both GSM (AT&T (formerly Cingular) and T-Mobile) and CDMA (Verizon, Sprint/Nextel (iDEN)). I am very familiar with the individual devices and their specifications. I can also answer questions regarding BlackBerrys, iPhones and other PDAs, both Palm-based and Windows-based. I can troubleshoot most any problem someone is having with their cellular device or with the provider.
Experience Over 15 years in the Telecom industry working for the carriers with individuals, small business, medium business and large corporations(Fortune 500)
Education/Credentials Master's in Telecommunications
Question QUESTION: I'm trying to locate a wireless carrier that will allow me and my husband to participate in a 'family plan' - problem is, i have a 617 area code and he has an 802 area code, and both ATT and Verizon have told us that we're not eligible to be on a family plan, because of our different area codes. Do you know any carriers that WILL allow this?
ANSWER: Hi Lauren -
I'm not sure why AT&T told you that you aren't eligible for a family plan with two different area codes, because you are. The person you were talking to probably didn't realize this. In the past, they didn't have a way to do this, but they do now. Did you call them or did you ask at a store? I know that Verizon is not able to do this currently, but I believe that Sprint is.
Let me know if you talked to customer care via phone or went to a store to ask about this. Thanks. DebiN
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QUESTION: I spoke to someone over the phone, i think in sales (i've given up going to the stores) and was actually told that, in some instances they can do it, but aparently, AT&T can't support an 802 (vermont) number. I found it hard to believe that AT&T has no customers in Vermont, but that's what it sounded like she was saying. I'll try calling Sprint.
ANSWER: Okay, I think I understand now what they were trying to tell you. You definitely can put lines from different parts of the country on one family account. AT&T does have customers in Vermont, so I have a feeling that the person you talked to just didn't know what they were talking about. If you decide you want AT&T, call again.
One question though, who is your current carrier? The problme may actually be that the 802 number is not portable from your current carrier. If that is the case, then that means that you can't have the 802 number moved to AT&T (not that they don't have customers).
Let me know and let me know what Sprint said. If Verizon found the number was not portable too, then Sprint will say the same thing since portability is the same for all carriers. Thanks. DebiN
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QUESTION: I called Sptint, and was told that both the 617 and 802 numbers are portable. So, then I called back AT&T, and was told that the 802 number was portable, however, it's not eligible to be put on a family plan with my 617 number because it's an "out of market" number. When I asked what that meant, he guy on the phone didn't seem to know. So, AT&T says they can give us two separate plans for our two separate numbers, but not a family plan. Our current providers are: 617, my number, the OLD AT&T (before Cingular) and 802, his number, Verizon (who won't let us do a family plan with 2 different area codes). If I call back Sprint, will they also tell me that the 802 number is "out of market" - or is that subject to change with each different carrier?
Answer Hi Lauren -
Both Massachusetts and Vermont could be set up in the same backend billing system at AT&T, but that particular system may not allow a family plan to be set up in two different markets (cities/metro areas is what a "market" is) for taxing purposes (since taxes are assessed in accordance with the market). They do have a billing system that can have disparate markets put together, and I'm not sure why they are not letting you do this.
I think I may know what the problem is, actually. Because you are on a old AT&T plan, that plan cannot be moved to a Family Plan with a number that is out of market, however, if you were to move to a new at&t Family Plan with your Verizon ported number, they could actually do this for you. It wuold involve them first upgrading your phone and SIM card (they are many phones that are free and this shouldn't you anything). Once you are under the new at&t, then they could move you to a Family Plan and once you were moved to that new plan, you could then port your husband's number to the new plan. If you really want to stay with AT&T, then I would suggest calling them back one more time and asking them if you moved a new at&t family plan, could you then add your husband's number. If you don't feel like doing this and don't mind switching to Sprint, you probably won't have the same issue with them because their billing systems are different and I believe that they cannot accommodate a family plan with people in different markets.
So, the "market" issue relates to the individual carrier's back-end billing systems. Let me know what happens and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and if I can help more, let me know. Thanks. DebiN
