1STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN
Re: Nationwide Number Portability, WC Docket No. 17-244; Numbering Policies for Modern 
Communications, WC Docket No. 13-97.
Number portability may not grab frontpage headlines but its implications for consumer choice 
and competition are significant. Nearly two years ago, the Commission requested that the North American 
Numbering Council (NANC) evaluate and recommend actions to enable nationwide number portability. 
In May 2016, the NANC answered with a far-ranging report identifying paths forward and likely barriers 
that the Commission would need to consider along the way. Today, we move towards making nationwide 
number portability a reality, by opening a proceeding to examine exactly whether and how we should 
implement it. 
I look forward to reviewing the record, and evaluating what next steps we as a Commission 
should take. I am particularly interested in hearing from consumers on how this will impact their ability to 
move freely from one carrier to another, as well as from carriers as to how this will impact their ability to 
compete in the marketplace.  
While I am tempted to use this opportunity to make an incredibly relevant, yet inappropriate, 
reference to a rap song about gardening implements and numbering resources, my better angels hold me 
back. Instead I will thank the Wireline Competition Bureau and the numbering team in particular, for your 
hard work on this item.