it looks like i just successfully pulled this off. my VZW # is now associated with google voice but i still have cell service (including unlimited data) with a new number. the port just went thru, so it remains to be seen if VZW will cancel my contract, but i'm cautiously optimistic.

some tips i haven't seen elsewhere:

- for my VZW account# in google voice, i did not put the -00001 part

- google requests a billing PIN. this is what VZW calls the billing password. i didn't have one, so i made one before i went thru with the porting. i'm not sure if that was necessary (i don't think it was), but since i did it i thought i would mention it.