Illinois Valley Cellular is committed to providing consumers with a hassle-free experience when keeping their numbers when switching carriers. To port your number:

• It must remain associated with the same local geographic area where it is currently assigned.
• The local geographic area with which your number is associated must be an area where Illinois Valley Cellular is licensed and currently provides service.

Illinois Valley Cellular Porting Hours: Monday thru Friday 8am - 2pm

Why port your number to Illinois Valley Cellular?

You want one-on-one customer service to help you whenever you have a question on your billing, the functions on your phone, and want to know that you will be speaking with a local call center representative that could be your neighbor and is always your friend!

Unique Calling Plans

Illinois Valley Cellular is a locally owned and operated company whose network covers 8 Counties in North Central Illinois. However, Illinois Valley Cellular offers competitive rate plans with free nights and weekends, free mobile-to-mobile, free long distance, and nationwide coverage plans at an affordable price.

TIPS FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION TO ILLINOIS VALLEY CELLULAR

Here's what you can do:

• Check eligibility - Call or visit the new wireless service provider to check if your number is eligible.
• Keep it Active - Don't cancel service on the number you are wishing to port before switching. Your number must be active to a switch. Disconnecting service will make your number ineligible for porting.
• Porting Paperwork - Leave a paper trail and ease the process. Have a copy of your current contract and most recent bill to ensure important information is readily available. Read your existing contract carefully to make sure you are not under contractual obligations that may contain termination fees. You are responsible for all charges owed to your old service provider, once you port to another carrier.
• Have an alternate contact number for emergencies in case the port takes longer than anticipated. Remember this is a new process and delays in porting can and do occur. Please be patient, once your request to port to Illinois Valley Cellular is submitted, we, like you, must wait for the process to be completed.
• Write down contact information from your phone before beginning the porting process.
• Important - Do not send anyone to port your number for you. Only the authorized account holder can switch a number. However, Illinois Valley Cellular can verify all porting information at our Agent and Retail locations.

Porting is a new service and wireless porting requirements are subject to ongoing government review. As a result, the information may change.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON WIRELESS NUMBER PORTABILITY

What is Local Wireless Number Portability?

LWNP or (WNP) is a service that allows customers to keep their current wireless phone number when they bring their line to a new wireless provider. This process or service is called "porting".

When is Local Wireless Number Portability (WNP) being implemented?

Number porting was implemented in the top 100 markets of the U. S. on November 24, 2003. All Illinois Valley Cellular service areas will implement number portability on May 24, 2004.

When will I be able to port my wireless number from another provider to Illinois Valley Cellular?

On May 24th, 2004 you "MAY" be able to switch to Illinois Valley Cellular from another provider and keep your number – if the other provider operates in the same service area as Illinois Valley Cellular and if you also reside within the service area of Illinois Valley Cellular.

What is the specific procedure for switching from another provider to Illinois Valley Cellular and keeping my wireless number?

In order to transfer your wireless number from another provider to Illinois Valley Cellular, it is as easy as

1) Bring your last wireless bill, 2) personal identification, and 3) your wireless phone into any Illinois Valley Cellular Agent or Retail location.

DO NOT CANCEL SERVICE WITH YOUR PREVIOUS PROVIDER BEFORE PORTING YOUR NUMBER. THIS WILL MAKE YOUR NUMBER INELIGIBLE TO PORT.

How much will it cost me to port my number to Illinois Valley Cellular?

There is no initial charge for the porting process. All Illinois Valley Cellular customers are currently being charged $.80 per month for each line in order to recover just a portion of the costs directly related to number portability and other regulatory mandates.

Will I have to buy a new phone if I switch to or from Illinois Valley Cellular?

Because different providers use varying wireless technologies, YES you will need to get a new phone if you port to Illinois Valley Cellular. Special Note: Even if another provider uses the same technology as Illinois Valley Cellular, they may program their phones to only work with their service. Illinois Valley Cellular does not do this because we believe that individuals should be able bring their phone to another provider if they choose.

If I port my number to Illinois Valley Cellular does that let me out of my existing contract with my current provider?

NO, the full terms of a current contract must still be honored. As a result, you may be responsible for charges imposed by your previous provider if your contract term is not fulfilled and/or if you have outstanding charges on your account.

Is it possible to port my landline number over to Illinois Valley Cellular or my Illinois Valley Cellular number over to my landline carrier?

Per a mandate from the FCC, a customer's landline phone number may be transferred to any wireless provider whose coverage area overlaps where their landline number is provided. Several landline phone companies have asked the FCC or state commissions for a waiver of their porting obligation. Therefore, it is possible that you will not be able to take your landline number with you when you come to Illinois Valley Cellular. In addition, Illinois Valley Cellular is in a unique situation whereas certain line ranges within our number pool are actually owned by our Parent Landline Company and cannot be ported at this time. These line ranges are 795 and 794 numbers.

If I take my landline number to Illinois Valley Cellular can I still have my phone number listed in the local directory?

You will need to contact the local landline provider to find out if your number can be listed. There may be a charge for this. All Illinois Valley Cellular wireless numbers are unpublished.

How long will it take to port my number?

Wireless to wireless ports should take two and a half hours. Landline to wireless ports may take several days. In addition, landline companies have asked the FCC and state commissions for a waiver of their porting obligation. Therefore, it is possible that you will not be able to take your landline number with you when you come to Illinois Valley Cellular. If you are wishing to port from Illinois Valley Cellular, you should be informed that our parent landline company owns our 815-794 and 815-795 line ranges and because of the pending request to waive landline porting obligations, these two specific Illinois Valley Cellular line ranges are ineligible to port.

What if I encounter problems porting my number?

If you encounter issues with a provider and their ability to port your number, you may contact the FCC by calling 888-225-5322. For more information on number portability visit the FCC website at www.fcc.gov and in particular the wireless bureau at www.fcc.gov/wtb/.