STATEMENT OF 
JONATHAN S. ADELSTEIN
Re:  In the Matters of Local Number Portability Porting Interval and Validation 
Requirements, WC Docket No. 07-244, Telephone Number Portability, CC Docket 
No. 95-116
Today, we are moving to help consumers take their numbers from one carrier to another 
more quickly and conveniently.  Several years ago, we extended our porting requirements 
to interconnected VoIP providers and asked if we should shorten the current four 
business day interval for all carriers.  At that time, I called on the Commission to reduce 
the porting interval even more, so that consumers are left waiting no longer than 
necessary.  As many in Congress, among consumer groups, and in the industry have said, 
there is no doubt that we can do better than four business days.  That standard was set 
more than a decade ago for wireline-to-wireline ports, and four years ago for intermodal 
ports.  That’s practically a lifetime ago in this industry where technology moves forward 
so fast.  
So, I am pleased that today we slash the interval from four business days to one.  For a 
number of years now, wireless carriers have been porting numbers between themselves in 
a matter of hours.  While we recognize that there are differences in the back-office 
systems, the time has come to narrow the gap between wireless-to-wireless ports, and 
wireline-to-wireline and intermodal ports.  Simply put, consumers should be able to port 
a number quickly no matter who their carrier is.
At the same time that we take a giant step forward to speed the porting process, I am 
pleased that we have called upon the North American Numbering Council (NANC) to 
come up with the best way for carriers to work through the sometimes difficult porting 
process.  I also support today’s further notice, which asks what further steps we should 
take to improve the porting process that will build upon the new one-day interval.  I am 
optimistic that this will yield an efficient porting system that will alleviate the potential 
for anti-competitive gaming that can frustrate the consumer experience.  And I am glad 
that today’s order recognizes that all this will not take place overnight.  Larger carriers 
will have nine months to implement the new interval; smaller carriers, who may not have 
automated their porting systems, will have fifteen months.  Further, the order recognizes 
that those carriers that have porting-specific implementation costs will have avenues to 
recover those costs.  
I want to thank Chairman Copps and his staff, particularly Jennifer Schneider, who have 
worked tirelessly to create a consensus item that will benefit consumers for years to 
come.  Their leadership has helped us navigate the tricky shoals of this issue.  Thanks 
also to the incredible staff of the Wireline Competition Bureau for helping us wade 
through the complex technical aspects of this case.