Cell Phone Number Portability Finally A Reality? 259
graphicartist82 writes "MSNBC is running an article about the upcoming deadline for cell phone companies to let customers keep their numbers when switching companies. FCC Chairman Michael Powell has already extended the deadline once, but plans to stay with the Nov 24th, 2003 deadline. Companies like Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile have committed to meeting the deadline. I, for one, would love this. I've had the same cell phone number for years now -- it's where everybody knows how to get a hold of me. Other companies are now offering better services in my area where they weren't before. If I can keep my number and get a better service, I'm all for it! (Even if I have to pay a fee like the article suggests)."
Re:Won't happen (Score:0, Funny)
For example Sprint offers (but inexplicably doesn't advertise and charges extra for) voice recognition dialling that sits on their server. If you use (are aware of, and willing to pay for) this feature, you won't be limitted by the 10 or 20 available voice slots in your physical phone's memory. You also can lose your phone, or borrow someone else's phone, and still have access to your voice address book. The only way you can lose your contacts is if you switch carriers. It would be a pain to re-program your address book. (In the same way that people don't switch on-line banks after they have all of their bill paying finally set up.)
Portable numbers will lead to more competition and more customer friendly ways to create lock-in.
You'll never be able to keep the physical phone unless you switch between carriers that use the same protocol: CDMA, GSM, etc. If you do want to switch between protocols just wait until you need a new phone. What is that- like every 2 or 3 years?
I can't wait.
Great! (Score:3, Funny)
Isn't that nifty?