Score another victory for the freedom of the wireless world.
The Federal Communications Commission on Monday approved new rules that give consumers exciting new choices, allowing them to move their home phone number to their cellular phone.
If you want to stick with the phone you have at home, that’s fine. Most people probably will for now. But many folks who are constantly on the go will be glad to cut the cord between them and their landline.
This positive move by the FCC is in addition to a new rule that allows cellular customers to keep the same number when switching to a different cell carrier. Combined, these new rules — which go into effect Nov. 24 in major metropolitan areas like Puget Sound and six months later elsewhere — should enhance competition and yield better choices and lower prices for consumers.
Industry experts estimate that 7 million Americans already use cell phones exclusively. This group is made up largely of younger people, including college students who have yet to settle into a home. About 19 million landline customers are expected to seize the opportunity to move their home number to their cell phone. Clearly, mobility is a growing lifestyle issue. Timely recognition and support of that is a proper role for the FCC to play.
The earlier FCC action to allow cellular customers to keep their number when they change carriers already was being hailed by consumers. Before, cellular providers could effectively force customers to stay put because of the hassle of changing a number that’s already known to friends, relatives and business associates. Now, consumers can seek the best deal without that impediment. That should spark new incentives among providers to lure new customers.
The new rule on landline numbers is opposed by some local phone companies (but not by Verizon, which provides landlines in Snohomish County but also owns most of Verizon Wireless) who argue that they’ll no longer be able to compete on an equal footing with wireless providers. They’re right, but their concerns are outweighed by the overall benefit to consumers.
Besides, landlines won’t be going away any time soon. Their signal quality is often better than that of cell phones, and they provide better location information when making a 911 call. Many folks just wouldn’t be comfortable without a landline in their home.
But those who want more choices now have them. That’s a good thing.
To learn more about wireless local number portability, visit www.fcc.gov.
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