Tutor
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13 Messages
ETF...Porting...and OLD handset?
Hi, if I were to cancel and port my 2nd line and paid the ETF....as far as the handset - can it be activated on someone elses AT&T account after the port is completed then? Is there a time frame before it is allowed to be activated? or do I have to wait till the ETF is paid, and is it a period of time AFTER the ETF is paid?
Basically trying to recoup a portion of the ETF by selling the handset..so I need to know how long I need to wait.
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kdfederer
ACE - Expert
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13.1K Messages
10 years ago
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logo412
Guru
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450 Messages
10 years ago
Hi billw31601,
As long as you pay the ETF, you can re-activate on any AT&T account, there is no lag time. Generally speaking you can give it to any other AT&T customer before anything is paid off.
Keep in mind that if anyone wants to have the device unlocked, you would have to submit for the unlock and your line would have to have the ETF paid in full prior to submitting for the request.
Hope this helps!
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billw31601
Tutor
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13 Messages
10 years ago
ah, ok. so i'm thinking a few days, like 2-3 and it will be ok? even if I don't pay the ETF until the end of the billing month? only would be a problem if the person was going to unlock it?
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wingrider01
Expert
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12.2K Messages
10 years ago
would hazard a guess that the line is not considered terminated until after the ETF is paid even though the number is ported
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billw31601
Tutor
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13 Messages
10 years ago
that's what I'm afraid of lol. well i guess i can call CS and get a definitive answer
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billw31601
Tutor
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13 Messages
10 years ago
When you mean UNLOCKED, do you mean to use on another provider than AT&T, or ready to use on AT&T?
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wingrider01
Expert
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12.2K Messages
10 years ago
Phones sold by ATT are locked ot their network and cannot be used on any other like t-mobile unless a unlocked request is sent to and approved by ATT.
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ryanpage
Former Employee
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22 Messages
10 years ago
Your device unlock will not be approved unless you buy off your contract or pay the ETF in full including your final bill. You can do transfer of service or ToBR Transfer of billing responsibility if someone to take over your wireless account. Go to www.att.com/transferofservice. You can not use your device to another carrier as long you are done ith your contract or you are not buying your contract.
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billw31601
Tutor
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13 Messages
10 years ago
I guess the confusion is over the word “LOCKED” or UNLOCKED.
What I’m going to do is port my number out to another company…NOT cancel my line with AT&T the “normal” way by calling them and cancelling my 2nd line. When it ports out, of course AT&T will realize this and add the ETF, etc.
My ONLY question is, after I port my number out, a couple of days after it has gone through okay, can I then sell my existing iPhone 5c to another AT&T customer for immediate use, or do I have to wait until the final bill and the ETF is actually paid?
Can someone please answer that for me?
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ryanpage
Former Employee
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22 Messages
10 years ago
That will be cancellation due to port out stil. There are a lot of kinds of cancellation (too many to mention). You need to call the Port Activation Company of the new carrier that you want to port then your new carrier will contact AT&T. Once the IMEI of a phone is activated in a account you can not use it to another account unless you initiate ToBR or transfer of billing responsiblity. I strongly advised that you do the ToBR so you can avoid the ETF. That will be 100% free when you do it online but there will be $18 transfer of service fee when you do it over the phone. Go to this link to know more about ToBr http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB106740#fbid=bIARGk6RYEH
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