Number portability soon available to cell phone users

by Ashleigh Behlmann

SBJ Contributing Writer

sbj@sbj.net

On May 24, a new FCC mandate will afford wireless customers a heightened level of convenience. This mandate, which has been in effect in the top 100 U.S. wireless markets since Nov. 24, allows consumers to transfer phone numbers between wireless companies, and to transfer their landline numbers to wireless companies. Wireless number portability has serious implications both for private and corporate cell phone users.

"I think it's a wonderful idea that they've enacted," said Mary Worm, a loan officer for Farris Mortgage. "It frees me up to find a better plan. Up until this time, if I found a better plan I couldn't switch. I've been doing (mortgage loans) for about five years now and that's how clients know to get ahold of me. My number is on my business cards, my Web site. I am very reliant on my cell phone because it allows me to be available to my clients without being behind my desk."

Mike Crosby, a real estate agent with Murney and Associates, added: "I've changed (wireless carriers) a few times over the last few years, and you'll lose clients from a change like that. In this industry, being able to keep your number would be very important. You've got that number on all of your business cards, your signs and everything else. It would probably cost me $500 to $600 to change everything, plus the inconvenience of losing all of my calls and maybe losing sales."

Larry White, a spokesperson for Alltel, said these are the concerns of many businesses affected by the FCC's mandate.

"Small- to mid-sized businesses are really concerned with driving (expenses) out of their businesses. Number portability saves costs like sign and advertising changes. These are immediate and tangible savings a business would see. For a smaller business, this is significant."

The wireless industry has expended considerable energy in preparation for this new legislation, and wireless carriers do not expect it to have any serious repercussions for their businesses.

"If the pricing was going to change because of this we would have seen that happen on November 24, because the carriers were positioning themselves for this change at that time. I don't envision people in Springfield will see better deals in May than they do now," said Chief Communications owner Mark Dickey. Chief Communications carries Nextel exclusively.

However, as competition increases, customers may expect to see improvements in their service overall. White reported that Alltel has "made investments to expand our coverage area, and added new data features to our phones. We also redesigned our bill to include more detail and make it easier to read, which is especially of interest to businesses where the employees are required to account for personal calling."

In order to make number portability as smooth as possible for both carriers and customers, the Federal Communication Commission and the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, the wireless industry's trade organization, have made a list of pointers to wireless consumers. This list addresses consumer concerns such as what to expect from the process, where numbers may be ported, and when to port their numbers. According to the CTIA, consumers should know their contracts and be aware that there may be a termination fee if they switch their number to a new wireless carrier before their contract is up.

Another pitfall to avoid is terminating the previous contract before speaking to the new carrier. This may cause consumers to lose their phone number, as inactive numbers cannot be ported.

These guidelines apply to business customers as well.

Wireless carriers and consumers both stand to gain from this new legislation.

"It's going to mean more convenience for the customer" said Dickey.