Keeping your phone number

[narc]

Canada 's Wireless Industry to Implement Number Portability

Customers to have the option of retaining phone numbers when changing service providers


OTTAWA - April 21, 2005 - The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) is pleased to announce that Canada 's wireless carriers* have agreed to implement number portability in Canada , and have begun the planning efforts required to achieve this result.

Number portability will enable Canada 's wireless customers to keep the same phone number when changing service providers within the same local serving area. Consistent with the Government of Canada's definition of wireless number portability, customers will also be able to keep the same phone number when transferring their landline phone service to wireless service and vice versa.

“In support of the recent Federal budget directive to move expeditiously to implement wireless number portability, the CWTA will contract an independent consultant to complete a comprehensive project plan outlining specific milestones for this process,” said CWTA President and CEO Peter Barnes. “It is expected that the plan will be completed by September 1, 2005 .” Upon approval of the plan and agreement on a common start date, it is the intention of CWTA and the wireless carriers to begin the implementation of the plan.

The implementation of number portability is a massive and complex undertaking. This initial planning stage is critical to ensure that Canadians are not burdened with the significant implementation challenges that were faced by customers in other countries. Government representatives will be invited to observe this process and to assist where appropriate.

The wireless industry looks forward to continuing to provide Canada 's 15 million wireless phone subscribers with the world class services they have come to expect from Canada 's wireless carriers.

Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA)

CWTA is the authority on wireless issues, developments and trends in Canada . It represents cellular, PCS, messaging, mobile radio, fixed wireless and mobile satellite carriers as well as companies that develop and produce products and services for the industry.

* Aliant Mobility, Bell Mobility, Bruce Municipal Telephone System, MTS Mobility, Rogers Wireless (including Fido), SaskTel Mobility, Sogetel Mobilité, Télébec Mobilité, TBayTel Mobility and TELUS Mobility.

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For more information, contact :
Marc Choma
(613) 233-4888 ext. 107
mchoma@cwta.ca


http://www.cwta.ca/CWTASite/english/.../apr21_05.html

[BrownThug]

fucking awesome.....if only they would have doen this about a year ago....:(

[stephen_c]

yeah, that would be awesome!
my lil bro here in london changed from vodofone to orange
just 2 days ago and kept his number.
i was surprised they can do that here.

[MC Hammered]

FINALLY!!!

After 10+ years with Tel-ASS I can run to Rogers!!!

[miss.myra]

wow, what a great way for canadians to discover that all wireless carriers are pretty much the same and they'll get dicked over wherever they go!

[e_BoY]

meh old news, already leaked out a year ago. but good to finally see it happen. the only reason this never happened like 5 years ago is because telus denied to have such a thing. which at the time rogers and fido easily agreed.

[rawb]

awesome, kind of thing that makes bad companies work harder and lets good companies make money.

can move onto my company plan now and don't need to expense my shit anymore.

[MissBehavior]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

So awesome. =)