Starting on March 14, 2007 in most areas of Canada, CRTC required Canadian mobile and home phone companies to offer clients local number portability. The benefit includes being able to transfer your phone number to a new service provider, keep your phone # and your phone (Bell and Telus phones cannot be unlocked).

What is Local Number Portability?

Local Number Portability allows phone users to change providers (landline or wireless) without having to change their phone number. Many customers that have been on the same phone plan for years who did not want to lose their phone number, are now able to change providers.

Can I unlock and keep my Rogers phone?

Yes, you can unlock many Rogers' models (please check our site for models) and use it on another GSM network. Fido is the only other GSM network in Canada. You cannot use Rogers' phones with Bell or Telus' networks since they are using a CDMA technology.

Can I unlock and keep my Fido phone?

Yes, you can unlock many Fido' models (please check our site for models) and use it on another GSM network. Rogers is the only other GSM network in Canada. You cannot use Fido' phones with Bell or Telus' networks since they are using a CDMA technology.

Can I unlock and keep my Telus phone?

No, you cannot unlock Telus phones that are using a CDMA technology. This covers most Telus models. You can however unlock Telus Mike phones that use an iDen technology (http://www.globalunlock.com/iden). iDen phones can only be used on other iDen networks which exist outside of Canada like Boost Mobile, Nextel, Southern Linc in the US.

How do I know if my Telus phone is CDMA or iDen?

iDen phones are on the Mike network and there is an iDen card (this looks similar to a SIM card) in these phones.

Can I keep unlock and my Bell phone?

No, you cannot unlock Bell phones since they use a CDMA technology. It is not possible to use a Bell phone on any other network.

Can I transfer my home phone?

Yes, in eligible areas of Canada you are able to transfer your home phone.

When I change networks, can I get a number I had in the past that is not active?

Local Number Portability only applies to active lines. You are not able to use any lines which are not currently active.

Is everyone's phone # in Canada eligible for this?

Some rural areas of Canada are not eligible at this time. They were eligible as of September 2007.