Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Home numbers get OK to roam
In the age of wireless, I'm glad the FCC had the guts to listen to the people and not the "bells". Now, we will be able to transfer our home number to our cell phone number. And, we are able to move that number to any other wireless company. Bottom line: these cell phone companies will have to act their best if they want to keep us...you know what I'm getting at: CUSTOMER SERVICE! Below is part of the MSN article:
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 — The days of having more than one phone number may be, well, numbered for many people. Federal regulators approved rules Monday making it easier for consumers to go totally wireless by allowing them to transfer their home number to their cell phone. For those who favor traditional phones, the Federal Communications Commission also plans to allow people to transfer their cell number to their home phone, though initially only a few will have this option.
THESE RULES, which come on top of plans to allow people to keep their cell number when they change wireless companies, are aimed at boosting competition in the telecommunications industry.
All the changes take effect Nov. 24 for customers in the 100 largest metropolitan areas. They will apply to everyone beginning March 24.
Consumer advocates predict the changes will lead to lower prices, better service and more options for phone customers, many of whom have been reluctant to switch service because it required changing phone numbers they had given to relatives, friends and business associates.
It also is likely to spur more people to ditch the traditional landline phone and go wireless.
“After today, it’s easier than ever to cut the cord,” FCC Chairman Michael Powell said. “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.”
Chris Murray, legislative counsel for Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports magazine, said the changes should spur competition in the local telephone market, which remains largely the domain of “Baby Bell” companies like Verizon and Qwest.
“Wireless is the only near-term hope for real consumer choice,” he said.
In the age of wireless, I'm glad the FCC had the guts to listen to the people and not the "bells". Now, we will be able to transfer our home number to our cell phone number. And, we are able to move that number to any other wireless company. Bottom line: these cell phone companies will have to act their best if they want to keep us...you know what I'm getting at: CUSTOMER SERVICE! Below is part of the MSN article:
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 — The days of having more than one phone number may be, well, numbered for many people. Federal regulators approved rules Monday making it easier for consumers to go totally wireless by allowing them to transfer their home number to their cell phone. For those who favor traditional phones, the Federal Communications Commission also plans to allow people to transfer their cell number to their home phone, though initially only a few will have this option.
THESE RULES, which come on top of plans to allow people to keep their cell number when they change wireless companies, are aimed at boosting competition in the telecommunications industry.
All the changes take effect Nov. 24 for customers in the 100 largest metropolitan areas. They will apply to everyone beginning March 24.
Consumer advocates predict the changes will lead to lower prices, better service and more options for phone customers, many of whom have been reluctant to switch service because it required changing phone numbers they had given to relatives, friends and business associates.
It also is likely to spur more people to ditch the traditional landline phone and go wireless.
“After today, it’s easier than ever to cut the cord,” FCC Chairman Michael Powell said. “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.”
Chris Murray, legislative counsel for Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports magazine, said the changes should spur competition in the local telephone market, which remains largely the domain of “Baby Bell” companies like Verizon and Qwest.
“Wireless is the only near-term hope for real consumer choice,” he said.
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posted by Brian & Brian at 9:18 AM
