*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 33677* NEWS 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). News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: November 24, 2003 Jennifer A. Manner 202- 418- 2530 Statement of Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy On the Implementation of Wireless Local Number Portability Today’s implementation of the FCC’s wireless local number portability ushers in a new era of consumer choice. No longer are consumers constrained by artificial barriers when porting their telephone numbers between wireless providers or wireless and wireline providers. Instead, most consumers who seek to switch wireless providers or move from a local exchange carrier to a wireless carrier will be able to retain their existing telephone numbers. Today’s implementation of wireless local number portability is the advent of true intermodal competition. In order to help consumers fully take advantage of the benefits associated with wireless local number portability and to understand their rights under this new regime, I have the following suggestions: 1. Remember Only Local Porting Is Mandated. You can only port your number to a carrier that serves the same location as your current carrier. In addition, because of technical issues, there may be other geographic limits for porting your current wireless number to a wireline phone. 2. Be Aware Of Any Existing Contract Terms. Before you port, review your existing service contract to determine if you will be subject to an early termination fee if you cancel your existing service. 3. Have The Information With You Necessary To Accomplish Porting. When you order your new service, tell the new provider that you want to keep your existing telephone number. To complete the porting process, the new carrier will need to know certain information about your existing wireless or wireline account. Therefore, it is very helpful to have a copy of your bill or your account information from your existing provider handy for reference. 4. Do Not Cancel Your Existing Service. Do not deactivate your existing service yourself. This will occur automatically as part of the number porting process. 5. Check To See If You Are In The Top 100 Markets. Today’s implementation of wireless local number portability is only for the top 100 markets. Wireless local number portability for the rest of the country will be implemented on May 24, 2003. To determine which market you are in go to http:// wireless. fcc. gov/ wlnp/ documents/ top100. pdf. 1 6. Be Patient: Because of technical issues, porting a number takes time. It is anticipated that porting between wireless carriers will take approximately two and one- half hours, although it may take somewhat longer for the first few days the process is in place. While porting between wireline and wireless carriers will take as long as four days to complete. 2