FCC Still Pushing for Number Portability on Nov. 24 378
JediAeryn writes "eWeek.com is reporting the latest on cell phone "number portability." Looks like the FCC is requiring wireless carriers to allow customers to take their numbers with them beginning Nov. 24th. This is all well and good, provided these companies don't throw out more lawsuits to slow the process. My local Verizon store has been giving me the same date for several weeks, but mentioned that other companies are afraid of losing their current customers. My question to the Slashdot community is this: is that a valid concern? Do you plan to switch carriers, and for what reasons?"
Can I move it to VoIP? (Score:5, Interesting)
It doesn't cause any problems here in the UK (Score:3, Interesting)
Although I've not changed mobile supplier, I know of several people who have without any problems.
I think here that try to keep you, but in the end as long as you have obtained a PUK code, then they can't stop you from keeping your number and changing supplier.
What's next? (Score:1, Interesting)
This is another example of government's "good" intentions about to go awry. If cell carriers can't count on a consistent base of customers, some of which consistency was predicated on people not switching due to losing their phone number, then the only logical result is that the cost of the service will rise. I hereby predict that a year from now we will be paying more for the same service we have now.
How about in Canada? (Score:2, Interesting)
reception (Score:5, Interesting)
But then recently the reception at home for Sprint got perfect...I guess adding towers and coverage is still an ongoing thing? So I think I'll stick with my now...2 or 3 year old phone.
Forced to change (Score:5, Interesting)
You sign up with a carrier and get a good deal that requires a 1 or 2 year contract.
At the end of that contract you have to switch to a different rate plan.
All the good (cheap) rate plans are limited to "new subscribers only"
You're faced with the choice of paying substantially more or switching to a different carrier who is offering good deals to new subscribers.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
Bye bye AT&T (Score:1, Interesting)
I'll change my number (Score:5, Interesting)
I've changed services 3 times in 8 years. Each time I was given a new phone number. All I did was ask the previous cell phone company to cut my minutes to the bare minimum they could, and leave a message on my voice mail saying "I have changed this phone number. Please call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx. Do not leave a voice mail here."
After 30-60 days (around $20-$40 maximum) I ended the previous service. If someone didn't call me in 60 days, why should I care if they have my number or not? There are so many other ways to get a hold of me (e-mail, postal, even calling up one of my businesses), my cell phone number should NOT be an issue. If they only know my cell phone number and none of my other contact points, I honestly don't care all that much about them (or vice versa).
I have a few customers right now who are waiting for portability, but I've heard it may cost $3 to $8 a month to keep your old number. This is crazy! Keep the old number for a few months, pay the monthly charges, and do what I've done -- set up your own "new number information" message.
My solution (Score:5, Interesting)
So my solution was to get a 2nd line at my house with NO features at all except CALL FORWARD to my cell phone. I don't even have a phone plugged into it. I give out the phone number on the 2nd line.
Now I can change cell providers easily and just change the number that gets forwarded to.
Yes, because sprint sucks (Score:3, Interesting)
I am of course somewhat concerened about switching to another carrier due to the draconian agreements you must sign to get a phone or renew your contract these days (2 years!!!???).... as well as the fact that it appears that ALL the carriers suck ass. I hear complaints about everyone.... T-mobile, ATT, sprint, Verizon, all of them apparently have more issues than i think is fair to the consumer. However sprint is probably the MOST proprietary of them all, with no sim's, and horrid connectivity cards.
The greatest thing about the number portability beyond the ability to move over to a new service is that this will no doubt FORCE the carriers to compete on a basis of quality of service as opposed to just price vs performance. By giving people an option to switch we should see carriers start to focus on who can provide the most stable AND cost-effective network.
Not to mention this should give high-speed wireless data a nice shot in the arm with consumers quickly switching over for the faster and more reliable cards.
Australia has had number portability for a while (Score:2, Interesting)
The ACCC [accc.gov.au] (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) here in Australia are the ones who asked for it to happen in the interest of competition.
If other companies are afraid of loosing their customers then they are obviously not serving them well enough. This sort of thing forces the telcos to provide a better service to their customers since the main barrier to customers leaving will not be there anymore. This sort of thing will really help competition and be better for the industry.
Bug in the system (Score:3, Interesting)
The wonderful advantage agreement... follow me for a second.
Over time, the value of the termination fee diminishes. If you are using a service for three years, it's likely that you'll use it for four. I happen to have a kickass plan that my unnamed provider keeps trying to separate me from.
This particular provider allows you to change features on the condition that you agree to a one year extension. Most blind, rabid, tinfoil hat people would get really angry especially if it involves simply adding Night & Weekends or mobile to mobile minutes.
Well... if your plan rocks, you can keep the party going by adding/removing one stupid feature and then putting it back a few days later.
The providers are probably aware of this Achilles heel and, no doubt, my provider knows what I'm doing and why but the amount of people that can figure this exploit is too small to be worth closing.
Prices are going up, not down. Until they start providing *no contract* service that doesn't suck, I encourage everyone to check out this vulnerability with their provider. $150 is irrelevant after years of paying $120 per month. Screw the system.