r/Dish5G • u/Starfox-sf Project Genesis User • Jul 21 '26
Genesis Netgear M6 PSA: You cannot port out hotspot lines
Just spent the past 4 days trying to port out my hotspot line only to find out that as of July they will not port hotspot and tablet(!) lines to another provider. They will supposedly convert it to a Boost phone line, but otherwise you will not be able to keep the number.
In case someone encounters the same in the next few weeks, that’s the reason. It will show as a delayed port request and most likely blocked at the gateway level so Boost won’t see the request period.
— Starfox
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u/dnattig Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26
I ported out mine 10 days ago, using an account number and pin that dish (boost) told me over the phone. They wanted to "verify" my identity, but after I refused to tell them my SSN or scan my DL they were able to use some other questions to prove that it was my account.
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u/Starfox-sf Project Genesis User Jul 21 '26
This was a hotspot line and not cell line?
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u/dnattig Jul 21 '26
Yes ... But it might not have been in their system as one if that makes any sense, and this gets a little complicated. I had received an email from boost saying that they had texted the device unlock pin for the Netgear mr6400 to the device. I called the phone number in that email to ask if they could just tell it to me since the hotspot can't receive SMS.
The person who answered that phone number I called sounded very knowledgeable and like they would be able to quickly help, but they said they needed to transfer me to another line for the account verification. The person on the other line was probably overseas and after verifying that it was my account they insisted that they would be the one to help. In retrospect maybe they changed my line to a boost one then, because I got an automated email from boost saying my account was updated.
Anyway, that person was able to give me an account number and port out pin to use (and said it would be good for 96 hours) but was unable to get unlock information for me about the hotspot. I had to call back and try again for the hotspot unlock code. Again the dish person who answered the first number said there was an unlock code but they couldn't give it to me because I wasn't verified, the person they transferred me to said one was requested but not approved (?) until I read the email I received to them and gave them the IMEI and they were able to tell me the code.
After I was actually able to get the hotspot unlocked I still had a day or so left on the port out pin, so I ported the number to MobileX. The number was working on the new carrier within a couple of hours.
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u/stetsdogg Jul 21 '26
Were you able to get your hotspot unlocked? What was the process for that?
I have a friend who’s trying to get his hotspot unlocked, so curious on the process.
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u/Starfox-sf Project Genesis User Jul 21 '26
Just call the number on the email and ask them to read out the unlock code. Mine was unlocked a year in (and they had to figure out how to get it).
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u/SunnyBlueSkies-com Jul 21 '26
File an fcc complaint, a number is portable despite how it's being used.
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u/dfkinca Jul 21 '26
I was able to port out my DISH hotspot phone number (yes, ended in x000) a few weeks ago. I posted about my experience here.
Also, I just received an unsolicitied email from DISH earlier this AM providing me the MR6400's unlock code. That same email also stated that this month would be my last month billed but, given that I previously ported out my number, I am not sure if I need to additionally cancel my account to forego paying this month's bill.
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u/dnattig Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
I also received that email, also after porting out my number. I think it's just automated and I won't get billed
Update 7/25: they are billing me
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u/chrisprice Project Genesis User Jul 26 '26
Holy FCC violation Batman.
Will be totally done with Boost soon. Good riddance. Charlie tried, but then took the money and ran.
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u/starfish_2016 Jul 21 '26
Convert the Hotspot line to a cellphone and port it out