When you received you new cell phone it more than likely came with an area code and phone number already assigned. Perhaps you switched providers that brought the change about. Cell phone companies are private entities that do not unite with other providers in issuing phone numbers. It is possible to keep an existing cell phone number when changing providers but there will be an additional routing charge for this to happen.

Depending on the provider that you have and the reason that your cell phone number is warranted necessary, your provider may establish a new number for you on a one-time basis. Perhaps you have been given a phone number that used to belong to a very popular individual or business and your phone rings continuously looking for the other party. Maybe you have been bothered with harassing phone calls and finding out who the caller is with reverse phone lookup and blocking the call doesn't stop the perpetrator from calling from other numbers. There are several reasons why you need to change a phone number but just because you don't particularly like it would not be one of these.

The North American Numbering Plan (NANP) is the authority that controls the cell phone numbers, just like landline numbers to the United States and 19 North American countries. They follow strict guidelines set forth by the FCC in maintaining the assignment decisions. Neustar is the national administrator of the program for the United States and Science Applications International Corp. Canada serves Canada. As long as the FCC regulates the Public Switched Telephone Network in the US and Canada, these companies are in charge of releasing new phone numbers to businesses and individuals.

If you have a business that offers toll free calling to your landline and find it necessary to have a toll-free number on your cell phone as well, this is a possibility. A toll-free number is a number that begins with the prefix 800, 877, or 866 as the area code. These are the only three series of toll-free numbers available. This enables the caller to ring your phone without being charged for the call. You are also free to select a vanity number that spells out the name of your company in letters, runs in sequence like 5689 or 9999 as the last four digits so your clients can better remember your number.

Families can also benefit from toll-free 800 numbers if you receive numerous calls such as running ads in the paper or online to sell merchandise, waiting on a job offer or receiving news on a loved one. When the phone rings in on your landline it is automatically transferred to your 800 number that has been set up on your cell phone. The Automatic Number Identification (ANI) of the person calling will also be transferred so you always know whom the call is from. You can also use this number to research with reverse phone lookup to find out more information on the individual. For instance, if you have a boat for sale and the caller is asking for specific information on the item, take their number and tell them that you will call them back. Researching the individual will tell you if you should be giving out sensitive information over the phone.

Vanity phone numbers can often be found for sale on the Internet. Earlier this year 1-800-BUSINESS, LLC was put up for auction to the highest bidder. A name like this could be a gold mine for anyone in the business world. For private individuals with prepaid phones, the SIM card is bought or traded that controls the owner's phone number. SIM cards were once available on Ebay but have since been removed due to stricter regulations. Phones are also bought and sold through Ebay or Amazon and with them comes the cell phone number that was assigned at the time of the purchase. This may be a just cause for receiving a new phone number from the provider but there could be additional costs incurred.

Cell phone providers can only provide cell phone numbers for their regional vicinity without going overseas but this is likely to change with emerging managed network services that offer International Private Line services. Telstra, located in Australia, is involved with global connectivity throughout the UK, the USA and Asia in bringing routing and protocols easier to access from country to country. Imagine one day being able to have an area code and phone number through your hometown in China while living in the United States. Even further reaching is the idea that one area code may cover an entire country or hemisphere.

But for now, the simplest way to change your cell phone number is to contact your service provider given that you have a good reason for needing a new number. If you are bothered by unwanted calls for an extended period of time and blocking by using reverse phone lookup is not working, chances are good that you will receive a new number but not of your own choosing. 800 numbers are a good way to go if you depend on phone calls while away from your landline but the cost can run in excess of $200 per month. Purchasing a phone number online is yet another option but be very careful in selecting who you are dealing with. Always check out the cell phone number using reverse phone lookup before contemplating a purchase. You may end up with worse problems than you think you now have.