Scrambling Connections
Wireless number portability a major plus for consumers

November 24, 2003 was the deadline the Federal Communications Commission mandated for cell phone companies to implement wireless number portability (WLNP). The wireless number portability requirement will be a boon for those of you who are unhappy with your wireless providers. You would have switched to another company already if only you could have taken your phone number with you. Now you can, as long as you remain in the same geographic area. If you move to another town or city, you’re still going to have to change your number.

Actually, the November 24 deadline applied only to the 100 largest cell phone markets, or Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). In Kentucky, the Louisville MSA is the only one in the top 100, coming in at number 61. That means you folks in Bullitt, Jefferson, and Oldham Counties (and parts of Indiana) can already make the switch. That also applies to a number of Cincinnati Bell customers in Northern Kentucky. Wireless providers in the MSAs that fall outside the top 100 will be required to implement WLNP within six months of their first customer request for a change or by May 24, 2004, whichever comes later.

The new requirements also allow subscribers to move their wireline numbers to a wireless provider, and vice versa. However, it will probably be some time before you are able to accomplish that move on a widespread basis, since the FCC and the various parties involved haven’t quite figured out the details.

So, how do you go about moving your number from one provider to another? It’s pretty simple. Contact the new provider you have chosen and tell them who your current provider is. DO NOT cancel your existing service before you arrange for the switch – if you do, you will lose your number for good. Take along a copy of your latest bill when you meet with your newly chosen wireless company so they can get the accurate information they need. If you are moving your wireline number to a wireless provider, where it is possible, you should expect a wait of at least several days before the change can be accomplished.

If you’re wondering about that early termination fee you agreed to when you signed the contract, you’re not off the hook. While your current provider cannot refuse to switch your number even if you haven’t paid the fee or your outstanding balance, you will still be liable for the terms of your contract. And if you’re wondering how the wireless companies are paying for all this, take a look at the line items on your bill. You’re probably already paying for it and have been for some time. By the way, don’t forget to budget some money for a new phone. It’s unlikely that your current phone will work with your new provider’s system.

Now for the $64,000 question: Who is winning and who is losing the battle for market share? In the first week of switching, Verizon Wireless and Nextel were the big winners, gaining the greatest number of new customers. Cingular and AT&T Wireless both lost customers, and Sprint PCS and T-Mobile maintained the status quo. All this is good for you, the consumer. Cingular and AT&T Wireless will scramble to cut rates and add minutes to their plans and the other providers will be forced to follow suit to keep their customers. Already, T-Mobile has added Friday (the busiest calling day of the week) to its free weekend plan and Sprint and Cingular have rolled back the start of their overnight hours from 9:00 PM to 7:00 PM (for an additional fee). So, if you are one of the Kentuckians who doesn’t live in the Louisville or Northern Kentucky area, you may benefit from having to wait until May 24 to switch providers. There is no telling what the wireless companies will be offering by then.

John F. Clark is an assistant professor of telecommunications in the University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Telecommunications.
editorial@lanereport.com

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