Word: carriers
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 2000-2009
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Since then, the bailout program has been widely criticized as wasteful, in part because it was clear prior to 9/11 that the airline industry had too much capacity and some carriers were in trouble. In this capitalism-without-a-parachute view, the demise of a carrier or two was inevitable and the attacks, however brutal, served to accelerate that process...
...Right now, only customers in the 100 largest U.S. metro areas can switch. If you?re town is smaller than Fort Wayne, IN, you must wait until May. Make sure you?re free of your carrier?s contract. If you?ve modified a plan or purchased a phone during the last 12 months, you?re probably under contract. Breaking it, even a month from its end, could cost you $150. Call your current provider to find out; don?t expect your prospective carrier to know - or care - about your contract...
...Generally, there?s limited compatibility between networks, so you?ll probably need a new phone. The only major exception to this is with GSM carriers AT&T Wireless, Cingular and T-Mobile; most GSM phones are carrier agnostic, although using your old phone may mean missing some of the new carrier?s services...
...When you?re ready, go to the new carrier. Don?t cancel your existing service, because that happens automatically during the number ?port,? and canceling early could cost you your number. The new carrier will verify your information with your old provider. To speed this up, bring your old bill and keep your personal data (nickname, mailing address) consistent. Once it clears, the actual transfer can take anywhere from 2 to 24 hours or, if you?re moving your landline number to a mobile, up to four days...
...Porting can be tricky. In the U.S., a company called NeuStar moves your number from one part of its phone-number database to another, and then broadcasts that list to over 400 landline and wireless carriers nationwide, so that, say, someone calling you from a Montana payphone will reach you on the first try. Most of the process is automatic, but the chance for human error is high. ?It?s not going be pretty in the first couple of days,? says one carrier?s spokesperson...