ADVISORY Federal Communications Commission 445 12th 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: June 22, 2011 Mark Wigfield, 202-418-0253 Email: mark.wigfield@fcc.gov FCC WAIVER ALLOWS MISSOURI DISASTER VICTIMS TO KEEP THEIR PHONE NUMBERS WHILE REBUILDING; NORMAL RULES WOULD HAVE FORCED DISCONNECTION OF PHONE NUMBERS AFTER 90 DAYS Carriers Also Encouraged to Waive Call Forwarding, Voicemail Charges for Disaster Victims Washington, D.C. – Missourians living in the federal disaster area that was declared following May’s severe flooding and tornadoes will be able to temporarily discontinue phone service while they rebuild without losing their existing phone numbers. Normally, FCC rules require carriers to make numbers from disconnected phone service available for reassignment to other customers 90 days after disconnection. In addition, the Federal Communications Commission is encouraging carriers in the affected areas to waive call forwarding, message center and voicemail service charges for customers until their service is restored. The FCC waived those rules temporarily in the disaster areas so that consumers who want to reinstate their service after the 90-day period has lapsed can retain their existing phone numbers. Changing phone numbers is burdensome for consumers, especially following a natural disaster. The FCC’s waiver is meant to ease one small part of the reconstruction effort in Missouri. The Federal Emergency Management Agency in May declared the Missouri counties of Butler, Mississippi, New Madrid, St. Louis, and Taney major disaster areas. Phone service customers in these counties who are temporarily disconnecting service while they rebuild should ask carriers to preserve their phone numbers. Wireline Competition Bureau Staff Contact: Ben Childers at 202-418-1418. -FCC- News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found on the Commission’s web site www.fcc.gov.