Telephone Local Number Portability

Telephone Local Number Portability (LNP)

Consumer Tips

Effective November 24, 2003, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ordered Local Number Portability (LNP) for customers in the top 100 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). MSAs are geographic designations of population centers compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. Both *Oklahoma City and *Tulsa (*see below) are in the top 100 MSAs. That means telephone customers in these areas may, in most cases, take their existing phone numbers with them when they change service from wireless-to-wireless carriers and wireline-to-wireless carriers. It is very difficult, and in some cases not feasible at this time, to port a wireless number to a wirelinephone until certain technical issues are resolved. The start date for portability in rural areas or in cities below the top 100 MSAs is May 24, 2004.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) has granted four Oklahoma telephone companies a six-month extension to implement LNP. Bixby, McLoud, Pioneer and Cimarron telephone companies, which all operate within the Oklahoma City or Tulsa MSAs and provide service to rural areas, have been given until May 10, 2004 to comply with the number portability ruling by the FCC.

*Oklahoma City MSA includes Canadian, Cleveland, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie counties.

*Tulsa MSA includes Creek, Osage, Rogers, Tulsa and Wagoner counties.

Portability Tips for Consumers

Here are some portability tips and recommendations from the FCC and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission for you to consider before making your number portability move:

DO NOT TERMINATE SERVICE WITH YOUR CURRENT CARRIER BEFORE ESTABLISHING SERVICE WITH A NEW CARRIER. YOU MOST LIKELY WILL LOSE YOUR EXISTING NUMBER.

You can switch wireless carriers within the same local calling scope and keep your existing phone number.

If you are moving from one local calling scope area to another, you may not be able to port the number.

You will be able to switch from a wireline carrier to a wireless carrier or from wireless-to-wireless and still keep your phone number, subject to that number being available (see first bullet point above) and to any extension of time that might have been granted for compliance with the number portability requirement. Wireless to wireline ports will, in most cases, be difficult until some technical issues are resolved.

REMEMBER, if you switch from a wireline phone to a wireless phone, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) may not be able to help you if you have a problem because it has limited jurisdiction over wireless carriers. Wireless is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Complaints can be filed with the FCC. Here is the link to the number portability section of the FCC web site:

Advice to help make the LNP changes less stressful:

Avoid transferring your number without first studying the various options offered by the company to which you want to port your number. Compare your favorite company’s options with a few others before making your decision.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK UP FRONT

Initially, confirm that the wireless company representative you are talking with about porting your number understands what is needed to complete the process. If you are unsure, perhaps you should choose a store that only sells wireless phones.

Call the store and/or the provider and get their advice over the phone before going in person.

STATEMENT AND CONTRACT

Always have your current provider’s most recent statement with you when you go to change service. The “porting” order requires a lot of information that is on your old wireless bill.

PLAN AHEAD

Check your existing wireless service contract. Most carriers require a written termination of service notice. The terms and dates on your contract tell you when you will want to terminate existing service and initiate service with a new carrier. Be sure your existing carrier’s contract has not already rolled-over into another term of service.

A wireless-to-wireless transfer should work within a few hours of your request. A wireline-to-wireless transfer could take several business days to complete.

FEES

You are required to pay any early termination fees and any outstanding balance owed to your existing carrier.

Once you request service from a new carrier and inform your new carrier that you want to keep your existing number, your existing carrier must port your number to the new carrier. Your new carrier will make the request to your old carrier to port your number.

Carriers are allowed to charge a fee to recover their “porting” costs and such fees may vary from carrier to carrier. You may be able to negotiate with your new carrier to reimburse you for the old carrier’s “porting” fee. There is no rule preventing such reimbursement. Ask your new carrier whether they have a policy of paying or reimbursing such charges.

911 SERVICE

Calls placed from wireless phones to 911 will automatically forward your telephone number but will not forward your current location to the 911 operator. The enhanced 911 technology which will provide that information is not available from most wireless carriers, nor in many parts of the country.

During the “porting” process there may be a period of mixed service when your old and new telephones will have the same service. During this time period, your E911 service may be affected. For this reason, before “porting” ask the new carrier how long the process will take and how it will affect a call to 911.

HANDSET (PHONE) COMPATIBILITY

You may need to purchase a new phone if you switch carriers. Some wireless phones are incompatible among different wireless service providers.

LONG DISTANCE SERVICE

If “porting” from a wireline phone to a wireless phone, your long distance carrier will not move with you. Wireless carriers generally do not allow you to choose your long distance carrier. Long distance service will usually be provided by your new carrier, but be sure to verify this with the new carrier.

It is important that your current long distance carrier is made aware of the move and your service with them is terminated.

Calls placed to your wireless phone from wireline phones outside of the local calling area of your ported number will be charged a toll charge to complete the call.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES AFFECTED

Be aware that in a few areas, as you roam, consumers with ported numbers may only be able to send and receive calls. Other services, such as caller ID, may not function properly.

If you have further questions about number portability, please contact the Consumer Services Division of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. If you live in the Oklahoma City metro you can call 521-2331. Outside the Oklahoma City metro you may call toll free 1-800-522-8154. You may also contact Consumer Services through e-mail by going to the Corporation Commission web site at and writing your question in the “feedback corner” section of the home page.

If you care to contact the Federal Communications Commission, you may do so by calling: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322), or through e-mail at

ADDITIONAL LINKS WITH PORTABILITY INFORMATION

The following web sites are not endorsed by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission but are offered as an optional source of consumer information on wireless portability. The OCC has no interest in or endorsement of any offers which may be made from any of the following sites.

You will find some comparisons of cell offers and cell plans and, in some cases, order capability on these sites.

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