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Cingular Wireless Helps Consumers Prepare for Wireless Local Number Portability
ATLANTA, May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Most wireless consumers nationwide will be able to change carriers and keep their numbers when Wireless Local Number Portability rules come into effect May 24, 2004. In an effort to make sure customers can maneuver through that process, Cingular Wireless has created a helpful consumer checklist called "The A to Z of WLNP."
"Cingular has worked tirelessly to streamline the number portability process since WLNP became available in the top 100 metropolitan areas last November," said Faith Seiders, Director of LNP Strategy and Operations at Cingular. "But we know from experience that WLNP can be confusing. We encourage consumers who are considering the switch to take the time to prepare. The result will be a much more positive and efficient experience."
Customers of small and rural wireline and wireless companies, in particular, should understand the porting capabilities of their service providers. Larger carriers have had months to fine-tune automated systems, streamline processes and resolve operational issues. For many small or rural carriers, porting will be a new experience and some do not have automated systems for inter-carrier ordering. Processing transfer requests and responses to and from these carriers will involve manual options. "It is important that customers in the smaller markets have realistic expectations about the porting process," said Seiders.
Cingular has been an industry leader in consumer education about WLNP and provides the following tips and suggestions to help consumers avoid surprises:
- Not all numbers can be ported. Some small wireline and wireless
companies in rural areas have asked for and received a waiver or
exemption from state regulators and are not required to participate in
WLNP. If your carrier is exempt, you can still switch companies, but
you will not be able to keep your number.
- Know the details. Bring a bill from your existing carrier to your new
one. If you don't have a copy of your bill, know the exact details of
your account, including name (is it listed as "Bill Smith" or "William
Smith"), address, account number and phone number.
- Leave some time. The process can take a few hours, a few days or in
some cases, a few weeks. Larger carriers have had months to fine-tune
automated systems, streamline processes and resolve operational issues.
Many small and rural carriers do not have automated systems for inter-
carrier ordering. Processing transfer requests and responses to and
from these carriers will involve manual options. Cingular provides
most customers with an activated phone, so they can place calls as soon
as they leave the store. Once the porting process is complete, the
phone will be in the customer's hands and incoming calls can be
received.
- Don't cancel your service. If you want to bring your number to a new
carrier, don't cancel your current service beforehand. If you do, you
may end up losing your number. Your new carrier will work with your
prior wireless provider to close your account.
- Are you a free agent? You may be under contract with your existing
carrier, who may charge you an early termination fee if you cancel your
existing service while still under contract.
- Do your homework. You may need a new phone when you switch carriers,
even if you are keeping your number. Familiarize yourself with your
new carrier's rate plans, coverage area and features, too, because you
will need to make some decisions.
- The "L" in WLNP. Local means when switching carriers you will be able
to take your number within the same geographic area, but you may not be
able to take it if you move to another area.
Customers may learn more about WLNP at any Cingular Wireless store, or by visiting http://www.cingular.com/customer_service/LNP
About Cingular Wireless
Cingular Wireless, a joint venture between SBC Communications and BellSouth , serves more than 25 million voice and data customers across the United States. A leader in mobile voice and data communications, Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover(SM), the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Cingular has launched the world's first commercial deployment of wireless services using Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology. Cingular provides cellular/PCS service in 43 of the top 50 markets nationwide, and provides corporate e-mail and other advanced data services through its GPRS, EDGE and Mobitex packet data networks. Details of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com/ .
Cingular Wireless
CONTACT: Annette Teter of Cingular Wireless, +1-972-982-3214, orannette.teter@cingular.com
Web site: http://www.cingular.com/http://www.cingular.com/customer_service/LNP
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