Why is ATT holding my landline number hostage?

Because it takes several hours (to several days on some services )for the port to complete, but deactivation from AT&T is immediate, you may need to have a babysitter for your number. Google voice is the suggested sitter.
This isn't an FCC problem.

 

Hi @jimho14 

 

"ATT support said maybe comcast has a hold on it so I called comcast and they said there is no hold."

 

Is your landline service with Comcast?

 

Thanks,

Dmitriy

no my landline is with AT&T, my tv service is comcast

It would not matter. The FCC laws are clear. A number can be ported even if the account is not paid off. And if Comcast doesn't have your home phone service, why even ask?

Either you are using the wrong information to port your number, which is possible if you had the problem twice. Or you are losing the number due to a delay in porting, most likely. If you notify at&t before you initiate porting, ask them not to deactivate until you complete the port, or use google voice to hold your number, it will solve the problem. Either way you will briefly have 2 devices with the same phone number.

BTW, the FCC has a publication on the issue.
http://www.fcc.gov/guides/portability-keeping-your-phone-number-when-changing-service-providers

 

Thank you @jimho14 

 

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Thank you,

Dmitriy