FCC Puts New Time Limits On "Porting" Phone Numbers
Changing phone carriers? Keeping the same number? You have friends at the FCC
For several years now, consumers have been able to keep their telephone number when changing telephone service providers, making it easier to switch from AT&T’s iPhone to Verizon’s Droid phone and back again without having to change your number each time. You can even switch the same number between wireline, and wireless, and VoIP carriers. The problem has been that while intercarrier number “ports” take only a day between wireless carriers, they take up to four days when a wireline carrier is involved.
Last year, the FCC ordered all carriers to reduce the porting time to one business day regardless of the carrier, including VoIP carriers interconnected to the public switched network. A fracas then ensued over how much information the new carrier must provide before the old carrier has to give up a number. The FCC has now exercised the wisdom of Solomon, concluded that uniformity and standardization are the most important considerations, and decided on 14 data fields. That was more than the eight recommended by competitive carriers and endorsed by the North American Numbering Council (NANC), the FCC’s advisory arm on telephone numbering issues, but fewer than demanded by some incumbent wireline carriers.
The FCC warned carriers they are required to protect the privacy of both customer and carrier proprietary information, so data provided in number porting requests must not be used for other purposes. The FCC did not specify the information a current service provider can demand from a requesting provider to verify that the porting request is valid, but it warned against excessively stringent requirements.
Porting requested between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding local holidays, must be completed by midnight the same day. Requests received after 1 p.m. will be deemed made the next business day.
If your number is 703-GET-LOST, you never have to give it up, and you can switch carriers in only a day. Major carriers must have the one-day porting system in effect by August 2, 2010. “Small providers,” as defined by the FCC in 2009, have until February 2, 2011.
I've had my voicemail number since 1997.
On Oct 12 2011 my voicemail provider emailed me there was a "system failure" - my voicemail was not working.
They advised I could switch to another company. I emailed them to ask if they were out of business, as I preferred to stay with them, if they planned to be operational again.
While awaiting a response from my provider, on Nov 7, 2011 another provider emailed me that my number was ported to them and they had "stepped in to save your number and keep your voicemail active - but now your number is in jeopardy and if you don't call soon, it could be lost forever. Please call today to set up your account before it is too late."
I called the second provider and was told I can activate my number for $9.99/mo (I paid $3.95/mo with the previous company) or, port my number to a company of my choice for a fee of $250, within two days or lose it!
This would seem tantamount to extortion to a fair-minded person.
I have requested that the second provider who now claims to "own" my number either provide my voicemail service for no more than $5.00/mo or port my number to a provider of my choice for no more than $20.
They informed me they plan to give my number to another "end user" next week if I do not activate it with them or pay $250 to port.
Now, since complaining to them and the BBB, they are refusing to do business with me and are planning to give my number to another user.
QUESTION:
1) Who owns these numbers? I thought they were public property under the FCC
2) Do I have any legal recourse in this matter?
No company is authorized to port your telephone number unless you have given consent in writing or by a voice call they have recorded. Without proof of that consent, the action is called "slamming" and is illegal. You can read more about it here.
http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/slamming
The above link includes a number to call to find out which company actually is your carrier and a link to file a complaint with the FCC.
A carrier that continually fails to comply could end up being fined a substantial amount.
http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/tcd/slam.html
http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/tcd/complaints.html
Getting the FCC to act on a complaint is a long process, but they do take action. Meanwhile, you should choose the company you want and ask them to retrieve your number for free, which they should be able to do. If the company claiming to have your number resists, you can file a complaint.