Number portability rises in the US

John B. Muleta, Chief of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, reported that, since the introduction of wireless number porting on November 24, 2003, there have been over 2 million ports involving wireless carriers. Most of these have involved wireless customers switching from one wireless carrier to another, although some have involved wireline customers taking their wireline number to a wireless carrier.

Mr. Muleta stated that the introduction of wireless LNP has stimulated competition and increased competitive pressure on wireless carriers to provide quality service to their customers. He pointed out that a number of wireless carriers have emphasized number portability in their advertising as an incentive to attract customers from competing carriers. Mr. Muleta also stated that the Wireless Bureau is focused on making sure that carriers outside the top 100 markets understand and meet their wireless porting obligations that will take effect on May 24.

William Maher, Chief of the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau, reported that, in April alone, there were approximately 1.38 million ports across all platforms (wireless and wireline), and that most of this activity was roughly evenly split between wireline-to-wireline porting and wireless-to-wireless porting. According to Mr. Maher, the Commission will soon be requesting comment on proposals by the North America Numbering Council (NANC) regarding the intermodal porting interval.

K. Dane Snowden, Chief of the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, reported that, to address the communication problems, carriers have established dedicated points of contact and conflict escalation teams to resolve porting issues once they are identified. Mr. Snowden added that the Commission will continue its outreach activities, as well as working with industry, state regulators, and consumer groups to ensure that consumers have the tools they need to make informed choices in a competitive marketplace.