1STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER BRENDAN CARR
Re: Nationwide Number Portability, WC Docket No. 17-244; Numbering Policies for Modern 
Communications, WC Docket No. 13-97.
In 1937, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama went to the Broadway play “You Can’t Take It with You.”  
Eighty years later, this phrase is unfortunately all too applicable to consumers in the number portability 
context.  Consumers can take their phone numbers with them when they switch providers or move 
relatively locally.  However, our rules generally prevent consumers who are moving to a new state, or in 
some cases, to a neighboring county or city, from doing the same.  This is not only an annoyance for 
consumers, but it can hurt competition when small and regional service providers cannot offer new 
customers the ability to keep their phone numbers.
Accordingly, I am glad the Commission is initiating this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and 
Notice of Inquiry to examine ways to encourage nationwide number portability.  I would like to thank my 
colleagues for incorporating into the Notice some questions I have about how the proposed routing 
changes might impact 911 or Next Generation 911 calls.  It is not clear that there would be any impact, 
but this is a question that I am glad stakeholders will be able to address in their comments.  I support this 
item, and I look forward to reviewing the record as it develops.