Service terminations, and your questions answered

Q: I just switched one of my phones over to Sprint from Nextel and purchased the Palm Treo 650 for Sprint. How can I get my Nextel address book to transfer to or merge with my Sprint Treo 650? I have more than 450 contacts. Please help!
—Donald

A: Fortunately, Donald, you have a couple of options. Sprint can help you if you go into one of its stores, which should have machines that transfer contacts between two phones. There are software solutions as well. You can get them from Nextel or from a third party.

Q: I live in upstate New York and really need a cell phone only for emergencies and traveling. My daughter in Florida is adding a line for me on her Cingular account, and my other daughter, who lives in Georgia, wants me to get a Florida number so that she can call me for free. I'll be on a nationwide plan with free nights and weekends, but would it be better for me to get a New York number? And if I use a Florida number, would I have to pay roaming charges?
—Mary

A: If you're using a national plan, it won't make a huge difference whether you get a New York or a Florida number. A national plan entitles you to free nationwide roaming and free long distance, so as long as you're calling within the United States, you won't incur additional charges for any calls. And remember, since you'll be part of your daughter's plan, you can call her for free. However, there's just one point to keep in mind: I assume your daughter is using a family plan, and carriers normally require all participants in such a plan to reside at the same address. Of course, you don't have to live together, so just make sure your daughter lists you as a resident at her address.

In my estimation, the biggest issue with using a Florida number is that if any of your New York friends call you from a landline phone, they will have to pay long distance. But considering that you'll be using your mobile primarily for emergencies, you probably won't see it as a big problem.

Q: There was an article in my local newspaper last week about Cingular terminating all of its contracts in our service area, which happens to be in the back of nowhere (Southern Illinois). Two people I know have already been contacted and terminated. But my husband's cell phone is his work phone, and his business advertises the number all over town. Can Cingular really terminate our contract? Also, can we keep our phone number, and can we seek compensation for all the advertising we will have to do over?
—back2act

A: I've heard of carriers terminating contracts before, but this is the first time I've received a letter from a reader who has experienced it firsthand. First off, let me just say that your situation stinks. Carriers yap on all the time about how their network is the most extensive in the country. So if they're doing anything to their coverage, they should be adding to it and not reducing it.

Unfortunately, though, Cingular can do this. I don't think it's fair by any means, but in its contract (way near the bottom in the fine print), Cingular says, "We may terminate this Agreement at any time without notice if we cease to provide service in your area." And Cingular is hardly alone in this matter, as other carriers reserve the same right. I only wish customers had the same option.

There is some good news, however. If you can find a carrier that serves your area, you can keep your number, thanks to number portability. There's just one note of caution, though. Normally, if you want to port your phone number to a new carrier, you must open your new contract before terminating your old one. If you terminate your contract first, then your phone number disappears into the mobile graveyard. So I would go ahead and open a new account now so that you can keep the same number. Finally, in regard to your last question, I would suggest seeking legal advice. But I wouldn't hold my breath.