Verizon offers landline-cell number portability

Daily Record, The (Baltimore), Sep 24, 2003 by Bobby White

Verizon Communications and Verizon Wireless meant to send a strong message to consumers and the telecommunications industry by allowing the companies' customers to switch their landline phone number with their wireless number and vice versa.

By allowing customers to latch on to a number, whether for cell or landline use, Verizon has acknowledged the direction many predict the industry is headed - landlines being nearly obsolete.

"The industry and regulators are ultimately headed in this direction. Our move was right for the consumer," said Mark Marchand, a spokesman for the firm.

The firm marked Nov. 24 as the start date for the new policy. The date also coincides with the Federal Communications Commission's mandate to allow consumers the ability to switch wireless carriers and to continue with their current phone number.

Verizon had been ardent in its opposition to the FCC's decision, but later shifted its stance and became a staunch supporter. The firm filed a letter in early August with the commission, urging the agency to reject "schemes" from a consortium of wireless providers, dubbed "The Wireless Carrier Group," to circumvent number portability. The group consists of AT&T, Cingular, ALL TEL, Nextel and Sprint.

The Wireless Carrier Group is pushing for fees and restrictions on the FCC's decision. The group is concerned about the costs associated with making portability possible. Critics of the plan estimate it will cost in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Verizon early on scowled at the cost as well, but has since accepted it and begun to point out portability's convenience.

"We are the first in the industry to allow this," said Marchand. "We simply removed a barrier. It is far more convenient for the customer. If someone were to move or simply wanted to get rid of their landline but didn't want to alert everyone, it will no longer be necessary."

Marchand said the company would not charge for allowing number portability. He also said the firm is open to negotiating with other wireless carriers to facilitate portability. Because the announcement just came down the pipeline, Marchand said, the firm has yet to begin any negotiations. He did not rule out the possibility that talks could soon ensue.

Verizon has nearly all angles covered, with it being the number one local phone company with 30 million customers and the number one cell phone provider with nearly 35 million subscribers. Verizon Wireless is a joint venture with Britain's Vodafone.