The USA's telecoms regulator, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has announced that it is extending the mobile number portability (LMP) deadline for a period of one year until November 24, 2003, in order to give time to resolve all outstanding number portability implementation issues, including training personnel an other non-technical tasks, and public safety coordination. The Commission considered and rejected arguments for a delay of more than one year, and stated that carriers will be expected to comply with this new schedule absent extraordinary circumstances.
The decision is a blow of sorts for Verizon Wireless which had been campaigning to stop number portability completly, but it has won a slight victory in the delay. As number portability is being introduced next year, just before the Christmas peak selling period, competition in the industry is likely to be intense, and it will have to be monitored to see if any networks offer unsustainable incentives to attract new subscribers.
Under the Commission's prior decisions, wireless carriers in the largest 100 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) were required to support service provider LNP, in the areas in which another carrier has made a specific request for the provision of LNP, by November 24, 2002. LNP will enable wireless customers to "port" their telephone number in the event they switch from one wireless carrier to another, or from a wireline to a wireless carrier. On July 26, 2001, Verizon filed a petition asking for permanent forbearance from the Commission's wireless LNP rules. Yesteray the Commission extended the deadline for wireless carriers to provide LNP by 1 year to November 24, 2003.'"
Posted to the site on 17th July 2002
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/7198.php