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Yesterday, I took the plunge and bought an iPhone. That meant switching from Verizon Wireless -- my carrier since 2003 -- to AT&T. And when I did it, I kept the same cell phone number I've had since college. That portability is the product of a rule enacted by the FCC in late-2002. Before then, cell phone carriers typically wouldn't do things that made it easier for you to stop giving them your business. Their ownership of your number was, after all, one of their ways of ensuring you kept sending them a monthly check. It wasn't exactly good for competition, but it was good for telecom companies. And when the FCC proposed to change the rule, you heard all the normal predictions of disaster:
The U.S. wireless industry initially fought number portability, using the high churn rate as proof that consumers have an adequate choice of carriers.The industry is also worried about the cost. Wireless service providers will have to spend up to $1 billion to make number portability a reality across its networks, and an additional $500 million a year to support it."The money we have to invest in (number portability) is money we can't invest in more coverage, more services and better products," said Sprint spokesman James Fisher.Marvel of marvels, the rule took effect, the cell phone industry remained profitable, and coverage and service investments continued apace. Arguably, the market is better off, because there's more competition for consumers. And now I can keep my cell number. Good on ya, government.
