Growing up, my best friend in the whole world was named Wilma. She moved to Montana in eighth grade. I can still remember her phone number, 2-3476. (It wasn’t until several years later that our town was so populous that seven-digit dialing was required).
Like many other states, Colorado is set to begin requiring 10-digit dialing soon, largely because of the proliferation of wireless handsets, fax lines, second lines and the like.
Lest we need to be reminded, phone numbers are gold. They can give us instant access to the very people who are important to us. They are lifelines in business and in our personal lives.
Recognizing that, the Federal Communications Commission is trying to figure out how to implement number portability, so people can keep their phone numbers-even if they move across town, even if they switch wireless carriers.
Numerous wireless carriers and CTIA are asking the commission to extend the deadline for implementing number portability, pointing out the complexity of the technology and the number of issues, including standards, that have yet to be addressed. Some carriers are against any extension.
While the issues surrounding number portability are indeed complex, the industry ultimately will benefit from number portability implementation.
Initially, enabling number portability may appear to have a negative impact on wireless carriers because it may make it easier for customers to churn to a competitor.
Some subscribers today simply will not switch carriers no matter how dissatisfied they are because of the hassles involved: new business cards, new stationary, the fear of losing an important business contact.
But in the long run, number portability will benefit the wireless industry because, as a whole, it will be one more way to satisfy customers. And in an increasingly competitive environment, that is exactly the way to keep customers.
