*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 33660* NEWS News media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 TTY 202/ 418- 2555 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT November 21, 2003 David Fiske 202- 418- 0513 (FCC) Richard Diamond 202- 418- 0506 (FCC) Brad Ramsay: 202- 898- 2207 (NARUC) Federal and State Regulators Agree on Success of Local Number Portability Joint Statement of FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell and NARUC President Stan Wise On Monday, November 24, new wireless local number portability rules issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with the full support of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) take effect. FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell and NARUC President Stan Wise issued the following joint statement: “When it comes to local number portability, federal and state regulators couldn’t agree more. “On Monday, we reaffirm the basic truth: your phone number belongs to you, and you can take it with you. Companies will now have to use better service, lower prices and innovation to keep customers. “Companies that want your business have every incentive to make the transition as smooth as possible. That’s why we expect the number transfer process to be successful on the whole. “The freedom to switch begins on Monday. We can’t wait.” Additional information about local number portability is available on the FCC website at www. fcc. gov. Members of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) include governmental agencies in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands that regulate telecommunications, energy and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of state public utility commissions before the three branches of the federal government and the various federal agencies. For more information on NARUC visit www. naruc. org. # # # 1