Carriers Might Profit From Cell Number Portability

Makarand writes "Carriers that are adding cell-number portability fees to your monthly cell phone bills (while fighting against actually implementing the requirement) may actually rake in profits from these levies as the total amounts collected will be more than the projected costs of meeting the FCC's number portability requirements. Although federal law requires that such fees be 'just and reasonable', it does not require reporting of their actual expenses. Consumer advocates feel that the number portability verification processes required are similar to those used by long-distance phone companies when a customer switches from one service provider to another and there is little reason to believe that expenses to meet portability requirements should vary widely among carriers and be so excessive as to bring profits for the carriers."

so what you're saying is...

[Anonymous Coward]

1) cell phone number portability
2) profit!

Re:so what you're saying is...

[Gherald]

> 1) cell phone number portability
> 2) profit!

No "???" step?

Amazing!

How to take care of portability

[ratfynk]

I was thinking of changing carriers because my (Telus) plan was a real ripoff. Then I went saltwater flyfishing and forgot that my cell phone was in my coat pocket. It solved the problem. I have found that if my voice mail, e-mail and pager will not suffice for the caller then the person calling was not worth talking to anyway. I always return calls from real people and finally realised that the ones that are desperate to get something for nothing in a hurry use the cell to call you. If it is that important people will get through. Cell phones for some people are a huge waste of money. They were for me. The next time I think about getting a cell I will just go fishing instead!

I'm shocked...

[WIAKywbfatw]

I'm shocked, shocked to find that the carriers are using this as an excuse to gouge their customers!

Whatever next? Companies that exploit their workers? Accountants that fudge the numbers? Politicians that lie?

Re:How long will this last?

[BenjyD]

You're joking right? Does anybody even own a pulse-dial phone? What is it with the US telco industry - it seems to lag behind the rest of the world so much.

Welcome to the UK...

[MosesJones]

We've had portable numbers for years... and most of the US mobile companies are Europe based and work in the UK, T-Mobile, Vodaphone etc. So the quick summary is...

1) We've done it in the UK (and the rest of Europe)

2) European companies dominate the carrier networks

3) We're just doing it to piss you off.

Re:How soon will we run out of phone numbers again

[Lectrik]

I love my cell number, very easy to remember pattern ( xyx y[x-1][y-1]0 ) and I'd love to move it over to Nextel. Since my employer is the main source of phone traffic to my cell, I can get added to the company plan if I have a NexTel phone.

I'd also like to get a slightly larger phone. My current one is too small for my hands.

The moral of the story, never let your S.O. pick out something as personal as your cell phone.

Off on a tangent as usual

Re:Sptint charges this fee already

[fuzzybunny]

Well - have you seen any Rhinos in NYC?

Of course. What do you think caused that damn power outage?

Next thing you know - you'll be finding a charge for the Anti-Rhino device the phone comes with.

I already am. How do you think we fixed the blackout?

Re:Not against profits, against OBSCENE profits

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm all for capitalism. However, it works best when there is a somewhat equal distribution of wealth.

I'm all for being a vegetarian. However, it works best when meat is eaten once a day.

Re:How long will this last?

[bogasity]

My parents still have pulse dialing precisely because the phone companies charge for tone dialing. The way my Dad sees it, he's probably forcing the phone company to maintain an ancient switch just to support him, so they are losing money by not giving him the tone dialing for free.

Re:Sprint customer service believes the world is f

[JimBobJoe]

The bigger question is how you ever got to talk to a person?

When Claire...the happy automted Sprint PCS minion asks "how can I help you today" you reply "cancel service."