So my Big Employer ABC decided that I MUST use a number on their plan, using a device they choose. I have played this game before.. if I let them have my current number then it goes into their corporate account and if I leave, its near impossible to get anyone to call up the carrier and tell them to give me my number back . But then I don't want to pay for a cell phone I won't be using.
And would the carrier simply suspend the phone and the number - yes. Once. For 6 months. I asked if there was a permanent forward service I could pay for, where my device would go away and my old number would just forward to the new one. Nope. Well, big carrier XYZ I work in telephony and I know about SS7 Ports. Gee I wonder if there are companies that just park numbers for a small fee.
Sure enough, yeppers there are. I went with number barn. $2 a month for playing a recorded message when called. $6 a month for 300 minutes of forwarded calls from that number. They also have an app that allows you what number to call FROM on the forwarded phone. i.e - my business phone can call out using my old number as well as get calls from my old number. Hmm, it seems like the sort of service a large cell carrier should offer if they wanted to keep customers...
There were other companies as well, but this appeared cheapest.. So if any of you all find your self with a number you want to keep and a phone plan you aren't interested in paying for.. this is the ticket.