FCC Makes It Easier to Dump Landline Phone

The FCC on Monday reaffirmed portability rules requiring Verizon Communications Inc. and other local phone companies to allow their customers in the largest cities to keep their number beginning later this month if they nix a landline phone in favor of a wireless provider.

The FCC said wireline-to-wireless portability is generally required when the wireless carrier’s coverage area overlaps the region where the wired number is assigned.

“After today it’s easier than ever to cut the cord,” FCC Chairman Michael Powell said Monday. “By firmly endorsing a customer’s right to untether themselves from the wireline network – and take their telephone number with them – we act to eliminate impediments to competition between wireless and wireline services.”

The local number portability rules take effect Nov. 24, requiring wired and wireless companies alike to allow customers to keep their phone number if they defect to another provider. Analysts say Americans are more likely to switch wireless providers than completely dump their landline phone.

BellSouth Corp. said Monday the FCC extended the portability rules without an official procedure. “We think this lack of notice violates the legal standards of the Administrative Procedures Act requiring an agency to provide notice and a period for comment on its proposed actions,” the Atlanta-based company said.

Qwest Communications International Inc., the regional Bell operating company based in Denver, said it opposed the FCC’s wireline-to-wireless portability rules and was considering its legal options.

Share this article: Email, Slashdot, Digg, Del.icio.us, Yahoo!MyWeb, Windows Live Favorites, Furl
Add this article feed to: RSS, My Yahoo, Newsgator, Bloglines