A Businessweek article “As Number Portability Nears” discusses the recent FCC ruling that mobile phone operators must allow customers to keep their phone number when changing providers. The new rule takes effect 23 November 2003. Read more…
A Businessweek article “As Number Portability Nears” discusses the recent FCC ruling that mobile phone operators must allow customers to keep their phone number when changing providers. The new rule takes effect 23 November 2003.
Europe’s been doing it and it’s about time the U.S. has jumped aboard. This is great for all tech-junkies or business people who crave the latest and greatest mobile hardware or mobile service only to find out that another telecom company has the exclusive on it. One use to fret about the idea of losing their unique mobile number because of having to switch providers. But that will soon be a thing of the past.
Additionaly, Mac users have better oppurtunities to move to a telecom operator that supports better platform compatiabilty service or hardware whenever we feel like jumping ship without having to give up our coveted mobile number.
This also may help give a bit of a shot in the arm to the economy along the way. The telecom community no doubt is hiring to handle the deadline set by the FCC and secondly, as competition heatens to retain or attract new consumers, there’ll be alot more buzz associated with mobile services translating into more consumer spending.
Another positive result we can expect: Lower prices. Now that you’ll be able to pick a mobile phone provider based on merit (and not just because they are holding your number hostage) prices should begin to drop and competition will certainly heat up in the fall. Caveat Emptor: some providers are already adding a WLNP fee to every invoice to put the cost of the transition back on the consumer. -Ed
