Posted on: Friday, August 22, 2003
Phone number rule debate is hardly over
| • | FCC issues rules on local phone competition |
By Jon Van
Chicago Tribune
|
| A new proposal on portability of cell phone numbers, if approved, would go beyond a rule that takes effect in November.
Advertiser library photo |
In November, cell phone customers will be able to keep their numbers if they change wireless carriers. But the Federal Communications Commission is also considering allowing customers to keep the same number if they move from a traditional phone service to wireless.
If the FCC approves the change, wireless carriers can woo customers away from using wired service.
Those are fighting words to the traditional carriers.
"You can't do it," said Richard Notebaert, chief executive of Qwest Communications, the Denver-based phone company. "It's not technically possible."
For number portability between wireless and wireline to work, wireless carriers will have to change the way they dole out numbers, or wireline companies will have to change the way they charge for calls.
As things work now, wireline phone customers can keep their number when changing carriers. But if they move from one municipality to another, they'll lose their number.
That could change when wireless number portability kicks in. Consumers who move to a new home could take their phone number anywhere they wish, simply by moving that number to a wireless carrier.
"We want to use number portability as a marketing tool," said Doug Brandon, an executive with AT&T Wireless. "We would let you keep your number and take it anywhere you want in the United States."
