.FLYINGHEAD SPECIAL REPORT
.TITLE Understanding wireless local number portability
.AUTHOR Heather McDaniel
.SUMMARY There’s big news in the wireless/cellular phone world this week. The American FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is now allowing you to change phone carriers and take your number with you. Before you go off on your holiday shopping spree and get yourself a new wireless carrier as an early Christmas present for yourself, there are a number of things you need to be aware of. We’ve asked our resident expert, Heather McDaniel, to help us understand the issues and costs involved.
.FEATURE
There’s big news in the wireless/cellular phone world this week. The American FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is now allowing you to change phone carriers and take your number with you. While this is a big relief for businesses who want to change carriers, but fear the extra costs of printing new stationery and business cards, more and more consumers like you and me seemed to be pretty psyched about taking our numbers with us.
Before you go off on your holiday shopping spree and get yourself a new wireless carrier as an early Christmas present for yourself, there are a number of things you need to be aware of.
.CALLOUT Do not terminate your current services before initiating service with your new carrier.
.H1 What is number portability?
Number portability or WLNP (Wirelesss Local Number Portability) means that you can switch wireless services in the same geographic location and keep your existing phone number. It’s pretty the much the same as keeping your wireline (i.e., hard-wired phone that plugs into your wall) number when you change local carriers.
Speaking of wireline numbers, in most cases, you’ll also be able to switch from a wireline carrier to a wireless carrier, or vice versa and keep you phone number! I know a lot of people who are doing this; cutting the cord and just going wireless for their main phone number.
.H1 Is number portability available nationwide?
As of November 24, 2003, WLNP is available in the top 100 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). MSAs are defined by the United States Census Bureau. You can get a map as well as a full listing of the Top 100 MSAs at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/wirelessportability.html#100msas.
If you live outside of the top 100 MSAs, wireless carriers have up to six months to comply with WLNP. So, no matter where you live in the U.S., you’ll be able to move carriers and keep your number within six months.
.H1 The hidden costs of switching carriers
Be aware of the hidden costs if you want to switch carriers. Probably the best time to switch carriers is when your existing contract ends — only now you can take your number with you.
If you’re with a wireless carrier at the moment, chances are you have some sort of contract that ranges from one to two years. Just because you can now take your number with you, this does not mean you can simply break your contract to switch carriers. It’s still costly to do so, with carriers charging anywhere from $150-$250 just so you can get out of your contract and switch to another carrier.
Another hidden fee with be the fee to keep your current number. When the FCC mandated that wireless carriers have the capability to port numbers, the FCC said that carriers are allowed to charge a fee to recover porting costs. This fee can come from either your current or new carrier. So if your old carrier is trying to charge you a fee, see if you can talk your new carrier into absorbing that fee. It won’t always work, but it is worth the try.
Even if you don’t take advantage of number portability, many carriers are charging anywhere from 55 cents to $1.50 each month to customers to recoup costs. Check your bill to see how much you’re being charged. You’ll see the charge in the fees section of your bill.
Also note that you’ll probably have to purchase a new phone. Yes, you may have the coolest phone on the block with all of the neat bells and whistles, but it won’t do you any good if it’s sitting on the shelf because your new carrier doesn’t support it.
Here’s why. Phones in the United States work on different networks such as CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), GSM (Groupe Spiciale Mobile), TDMA (Time Division/Demand Multiple Access), and AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System). Let’s say that you’re currently with T-Mobile, which uses primarily a GSM network. You want to switch to Sprint, which uses a CDMA network. Since the carriers use different technologies, you won’t be able to use the phone that works with GSM on the CDMA network.
Even if you switch carriers that use the same technology, carriers tend to support only the handsets that have been tested on their system. For instance, Sprint and Verizon both use CDMA networks, and Sprint’s network might not support your Verizon phone. Check with the carrier you want to switch to and see if they support your current handset.
.H1 A few more important suggestions
Still want to switch carriers? There are a few more things to look out for as you go through the process of changing carriers.
First and foremost, do not terminate your current services before initiating service with your new carrier. Your best bet is to contact your new carrier and they’ll start the porting process by contacting your current carrier. There is a transition period, and it’s important to ask you new carrier how long the process will take.
If you use 911 during the transition, it’s important to be aware that the dispatcher may not know the location or the number you’re calling from. Be sure to tell the dispatcher at the beginning of the call your location and phone number.
We’re entering a new era in the wireless industry and it’s important to be as well informed as possible and feel free to ask questions!
.BIO ZATZ Senior News Editor Heather McDaniel is widely acknowledged as a leading expert on the converging handheld and mobile telecommunications industries.
