Take your cell phone number with you when you change providers: there is a catch

• legal regulations
• Be careful when changing providers
• tips for Evade the trap
• Conclusion

All your friends, relatives and acquaintances have already saved your cell phone number. That’s why it is often the easiestto take the old number with you when you change providers. We will explain what you need to consider so that you do not have to pay any fees.

Regulations relating to number portability

If another provider has a tariff offer that better suits your personal needs, it is understandable that you a change consider. Since colleagues, friends and acquaintances already have your number, it would be annoying to change them. It’s easier if you take your old cell phone number with you when you change providers.

Basically, you can take your cell phone number with you to your new provider free of charge. Already since November 1, 2002 According to the Telecommunications Act (TKG), mobile phone providers are obliged to allow their customers to take their old phone number with them. This procedure becomes general Mobile Number Portability (MNP) called. You simply apply to the new provider to take your phone number with you; this is also called a porting order. Since December 1st, 2021 it is after Information from the Federal Network Agency Furthermore, it is stipulated by law that you can still apply for number portability up to one month after the end of the old contract. It is important that your customer data from the old contract match those in the new contract. Also allowed since December 1, 2021 no more charges for porting a number calculated, as was often the case in the past. This rule applies to both landline and mobile phone numbers.

But porting your phone number isn’t always that easy. Despite the fact that the legal basis not only allows taking it with you, but also allows it free of charge, it often happens hidden cost traps. As a customer, you may not notice these immediately. The reason why providers sometimes claim fees is one wording in the law. From the § 59 TKG the framework for the term “change of provider” is expanded; Strictly speaking, the law does not give a right to take the number with you in the event of contract changes where the old and new telephone provider are identical. The law describes with a provider change so a change of company or contractual partner.

This is how you avoid the cost trap

So it can happen that you change the provider you think, but actually the same network operator behind it. This is because many network operators offer their services through different sub-brands; so you change the brand, the provider, strictly speaking, but not from a legal point of view.

This little thing, viewed from the outside, can ensure that there are not only difficulties when porting a number, but that charges are also incurred. In order to avoid possible fees, it is worthwhile to take a close look when planning a change to see whether there is actually a change of provider. In the terms and conditions of the tariff you have selected, a so-called service providers be listed. This tells you who the provider is.

When changing, you must give your phone number exactly. Are you unsure what your current network membership As far as I’m concerned, you can easily do this through web services like netz-abfrage.de check over. If in doubt, you can ask your current provider what support they offer. In addition to the web request, there is often the option of using your own network via a Speed ​​dial or SMS find out. Furthermore, the provider to which you want to switch must break down the costs that will arise in advance. At this point you can also see whether there may be charges for porting your number.

Conclusion

It is regulated by law that you enter your phone number free of charge when changing providers can take with you. The wording of the provider change should be approached with caution, because it can happen that your tariff from same network operator is offered, with which you are currently. In this case, charges for number portability may apply. If you inform yourself in advance, you can easily avoid the cost trap.