WTA Files Comments on Number Portability

On December 27, WTA filed comments with the FCC in response to its NPRM and NOI on nationwide number portability. WTA proposes that, if the Commission determines to proceed toward nationwide number portability at this time, it do so in discrete steps. WTA recommends the Commission start with the wireless sector, which has developed effective location tracking processes and that already uses telephone numbers that have become increasingly personal and non-geographic in nature. WTA recommends that the Commission wait to address nationwide wireline number portability until it has completed its resolution of the foreseen and unforeseen problems of implementing nationwide wireless number portability and until the ongoing transition from TDM voice services to more portability-compatible VoIP services proceeds further.