Google is testing the option to port your number from your current carrier to your Google Voice account. For some, the option has shown up and then disappeared, for others, it was never there. For me, the option is still available.
However, porting a number in modern day carrier parlance signals that you are cancelling your account. According to AT&T, the contract resides on the number, and you cannot move the contract to a different number.
Therefor, if you're tied into a contract on the number you wish to port to Google Voice, then you cannot port that number without incurring any cancellation penalties that you might be subject to.
The good news is that if you do port your number, you have 59 days in which to come back without incurring the penalties. But, you have to bring the same number back.
Turns out those numbers are gold.
Update: Google has officially started rolling this out to everyone (over time). They also confirm that porting your number cancels your contract with your carrier.
Lifehacker has a nice write up on the ins-and-outs of porting your number to Google Voice, go check it out.
(Image pulled from Lifehacker)
