Mobile phone number portability knocks

Mobile number portability (MNP) is not something completely new. Here is a list of countries where it has been applied for years already:

Year Countries
1997 Singapore 
1998 United Kingdom 
1999 Hong Kong SAR, Netherlands
2000 Spain, Sweden, Switzerland 
2001 Australia, Denmark, Italy, Norway 
2002 Belgium, Germany, 
2003 Austria, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal,
2004 forecast USA,

not available
Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan.

MNP has now been implemented in the vast majority of developed countries without any discernible harm to operators or significant technical problems. However, in some instances, operators have made the implementation so difficult and done it so grudgingly, that the effectiveness has been damaged. In many countries MNP has been the subject of protracted delaying tactics by established operators.

What does it mean for you? 

Large U.S. wireless companies are asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke a requirement that they allow customers to keep their phone numbers when they change carriers. The big carriers say meeting the requirement would be expensive and technically complex. Smaller U.S. carriers, who want to attract customers away from the bigger companies, say that without number portability, it is easier for the big companies to hold on to their customers. (Los Angeles Times)

In 2002, the Federal Communications Commission (FFC) adopted an order extending the wireless local number portability (LNP) implementation deadline for a period of one year, until November 24, 2003, to allow adequate time to resolve all outstanding wireless LNP implementation issues, including training personnel and other non-technical tasks, and critically, public safety coordination. The Commission declined to forbear completely from applying the wireless LNP rules because it determined that they are necessary to preserve consumer choice and enhance competition among CMRS carriers and between the wireless and wireline industries.

Without free or very cheap number portability, the mobile telecommunications markets cannot be considered to be effectively competitive. New entrants face a very steep barrier to entry. Existing customers face unnecessary difficulties in shifting from one supplier to another, in having to propagate their new number among friends and colleagues. This is particularly difficult in an era when so many numbers are embedded in computers, PDAs and other telephones.

So after November 24th, 2003 you will be able to change your current cellular service provider and keep the cellular number the same. We will have to see however if the big wireless service providers will not try to retain their customers by keeping higher penalties for switching before the contract term expiration.

If you are looking for a new cellular phone service check with our Cellular Service Comparison Tool to see if you can find a cheaper plan. Your cellular phone is free, long distance service is free and you make 50$!

Sincerely,
Nenko Antonov
Owner of www.LDKiosk.com

Looking forward to serve you well ...

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