The FCC today adopted a rule requiring wireline companies to transfer a customer’s existing phone number to a new service provider within one business day, instead of the previous four days.
The FCC did make an exception for small carriers, which have more time to implement the change. Otherwise, service providers must implement the new number porting interval within nine months from the time the commission gets input from the North American Numbering Council (NANC).
It’s good news for carriers like T-Mobile USA, which has been lobbying for a change for more than two years. Groups calling for the change said the four days often turned into six days.
“T-Mobile applauds the leadership of the FCC today for reducing the wireline-to-wireless porting interval to one day,” said Tom Sugrue, vice president of government affairs at T-Mobile USA, in a statement. “In doing so, the chairman and commissioners have acted in the best interest of consumers and competition. We look forward to working with the commission and the NANC to facilitate a rapid and smooth transition.”
Delays in number porting cost consumers money and impede their ability to choose providers based solely on price, quality and service, the FCC said.