STATEMENT OF
CHAIRMAN TOM WHEELER
Re: Telcordia Technologies, Inc. Petition to Reform Amendment 57 and to Order a Competitive 
Bidding Process for Number Portability Administration, WC Docket No. 07-149, Petition of 
Telcordia Technologies, Inc. to Reform or Strike Amendment 70, to Institute Competitive Bidding 
for Number Portability Administration, and to End the NAPM LLC’s Interim Role in Number 
Portability Administration Contract Management, WC Docket No. 09-109, Telephone Number 
Portability, CC Docket No. 95-116.
Since becoming FCC Chairman, my mantra has been clear and consistent: Competition, 
Competition, Competition. And I’ve consistently identified consumer protection, public safety, and 
national security as components of the network compact. That is why I am glad the Commission utilized 
a competitive process to determine who should administer the FCC’s “local number portability” system, 
which, fittingly, is one of our most successful pro-competition programs. And our staff here at the FCC 
has given each of the bids a thorough review to ensure that the values of the network compact are 
protected and preserved regardless of which bid is ultimately selected. This effort has led to a better deal 
for American consumers; one that will yield significant cost savings over the existing contract.  Today, 
the Commission conditionally approves switching administrators of the program that helps us switch 
phone companies.
Every day, more than 100,000 individuals and businesses in America switch their phone carriers 
but keep their old phone number. This ability to transfer – or “port” – our numbers enhances consumer 
choice and makes for a more competitive marketplace. These transfers happen almost seamlessly, and we 
take them for granted, but these transactions are actually carried out by a neutral third-party called the 
Local Number Portability Administrator (LNPA).
The same company has held the contract to serve as LNPA for more than 15 years. Ironically, 
this company received multiple “no-bid” extensions of its contract to run this pro-competition program. 
Putting this contract out for competitive bidding was long overdue.
Starting in 2011, we conducted a lengthy, thorough, and transparent process, which was 
supported by the incumbent and other contenders for the contract.
We engaged both an industry consortium – the North American Portability Management, LLC 
(NAPM) – and our federal advisory committee on numbering issues – the North American Numbering 
Council (NANC) – to help conduct the bidding process and then to review and provide a recommendation 
on the bids. They recommended that we select a new company, Telcordia, as the next LNPA.
We requested and received comment from stakeholders at various points throughout the process, 
including early on as we established the process and again most recently when we sought comment on the 
recommendation from NANC.
Every bidder was invited to improve on its initial bid, and every bidder took advantage of that 
opportunity to submit a “best and final offer.”
Commission staff independently evaluated the recommendation and the record while also 
conferring with national security and law enforcement experts. The integrity and reliability of the porting 
system is our paramount concern. After extensive review and analysis of all the data submitted to the 
Commission, staff concurred with the recommendation of the NANC that Telcordia best met the 
evaluation criteria.
Importantly, this Order is approval for the NAPM to move forward with contract negotiations 
with Telcordia. The NAPM and – if contract negotiations are successful – Telcordia are the ones with the 
business relationship; the FCC oversees that relationship. Accordingly, this Order requires Telcordia to 
2comply with specific conditions to ensure that it serves as a neutral administrator and to ensure that 
Telcordia’s service conforms with national security and law enforcement needs. The approach we adopt 
in this Order is consistent with the one the Commission used to ensure the neutrality of the current LNPA.
This Order is only one important step toward implementing a new contract. There is more to do.
We will continue to engage law enforcement and national security experts as we look at the post-selection 
process to ensure that national security and law enforcement concerns are adequately addressed.
If there is a successful contract negotiation with Telcordia, we will work closely with 
stakeholders to ensure that the transition process is as smooth as possible so that the LNPA continues to 
facilitate the kind of competition in the voice marketplace that consumers have come to expect and 
deserve.