Getting Vocal Over Google Voice (GOOG)

Users of Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) Voice may soon be able to port their cell phone number to their Google Voice account. But should they?

Last week, the tech giant announced that it had been testing a way for consumers to unify their phones without having to use a new Google Voice number. The one-time $20 fee sounds reasonable, but PCWorld has outlined a few hidden expenses. To make the number switch, users must cancel their mobile contract and move their phone number from the carrier to Google Voice. If your number is still under contract, this could lead to a hefty early termination fee.

That, however, is only the beginning of what could be a series of problems for Google Voice users. Wired's Ryan Singel has detailed a lengthy list of problems he encountered while making the switch. First and foremost, he said that by removing your number from your cell phone (to take it to Google Voice), you will be required to get a new cell phone number or Google Voice will not have anywhere to forward its calls.

David Kravets, another reporter at Wired, had to speak with four customer-services reps at Sprint (NYSE: S) before he was able to successfully port his number. Initially, he was told that the port would break his contract, creating a fee of $180. When Sprint finally agreed to let him have a new number without breaking the contract, the rep said that he had to make a special note in his account.

In other words, this offer isn't going to be extended to everyone. Not without a fight, at least.

With so much effort required to port a number, you have to wonder why anyone would even bother. Google Voice may be a decent supplement or add-on to your existing communication tools and devices, but until Google can work out the kinks (and ensure no one incurs any additional fees), users would be wise to approach with caution.