STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL RE: Local Number Portability Porting Interval and Validation Requirements, WC Docket No. 07-244; Telephone Number Portability, CC Docket No. 95-116; Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 09-41) I am pleased that the Commission is acting today to modernize our rules to keep pace with technological advances and evolving consumer trends. By decreasing the length of time all providers have for porting a telephone number – from four business days to one – we are enabling consumers to enjoy the benefits of their market decisions almost as quickly as technology allows. With myriad innovative service offerings emerging every day as a result of a highly competitive marketplace, consumers may want to take advantage of their new choices at a pace that is faster than what was encouraged by our stale rules of yesteryear. We also provide a generous and sensible glide path for implementing the change: nine months after the North American Numbering Council’s review for the largest providers, and fifteen months thereafter for the smallest. I am confident that a one business day interval strikes the proper balance between any costs associated with implementing the change and the economic benefits that will flow to consumers. At the same time, as I have said in the past, I am sympathetic to calls that we provide greater assurance that providers of similar services are subject to similar rules. Regulatory parity is critically important if we are to have a competitive and vibrant marketplace. As always, I welcome additional ideas that may further this goal from interested parties. Therefore, I am pleased that our Further Notice serves as an opportunity to examine improving the one business day porting interval we adopt today, and to refresh the record on any additional steps the Commission may elect to take to improve the process of changing providers. Finally, I want to acknowledge and thank my colleagues, Acting Chairman Copps and Commissioner Adelstein. Thank you for bringing this important matter forward. The Commission had sat on this matter for far too long. It was a pleasure to work in a congenial and collaborative manner to reach today’s compromise. Thank you for your assistance and continued good will.