OTTAWA-The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association said its carrier members have agreed to implement wireless number portability and have begun making their implementation plans.
The LNP deployment, which is expected to be completed by Sept. 1, will allow customers to keep their phone number when changing service providers within the same local service area as well as keep their same numbers when transferring their service between wireless and wireline operators.
“In support of the recent federal budget directive to move expeditiously to implement wireless number portability, the CWTA will contract an independent consultant to complete a comprehensive project plan outlining specific milestones for this process,” said Peter Barnes, CWTA president and chief executive officer. “Upon approval of the plan and agreement on a common start date, it is the intention of CWTA and the wireless carriers to begin the implementation of the plan.”
CWTA represents Canada’s nationwide wireless operators Bell Mobility, Rogers Wireless and Telus Mobility, as well as a number of regional operators, including Aliant Mobility, Bruce Municipal Telephone System, MTS Mobility, SaskTel Mobility, Sogetel Mobilite, Telebec Mobilite and TBayTel Mobility.
The U.S. wireless industry initiated similar WLNP availability in November 2003 with nationwide availability by last May.
