FCC extends LNP deadline

The Federal Communications Commission extended by six months the deadline for streamlined local number portability processing.
The new deadline is July 31, though regional telecom operator Embarq — which requested a delay of streamlined LNP guidelines until Sept. 31 so it can implement a new ordering system — will have until the latter date to comply. The original deadline had been today.
The FCC last November, responding to cellular industry complaints, ruled LNP validation for a simple number port should be limited to four fields including the 10-digit telephone number, the customer account number, 5-digit zip code, and a pass code, if applicable. In addition, the agency tentatively concluded simple ports should be completed within 48 hours. That action was prompted by T-Mobile USA Inc. and Sprint Nextel Corp.’s petition to forbid delays or obstruction in porting wireline numbers to wireless carriers.