Cingular Flips on the Switch to Number Portability

As mandated by the Federal Communications Commission, wireless and wireline users in the 100 largest metropolitan areas now have the option of taking their existing phone number with them when they switch to another wireless carrier. The option will be available to the rest of the country on May 24, 2004.

Cingular, the second largest wireless carrier in the nation, announced early this morning it initiated its first wireless number port request on behalf of the soon-to-be Cingular customer and five-time world boxing champion, Felix "Tito" Trinidad.  The port request was submitted in Puerto Rico at 12:01 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time (11:01 p.m. Eastern Standard Time) and is believed to be one of the first in the country.

As part of its ongoing commitment to make WLNP simple for customers, Cingular has created three easy ways for customers to switch their numbers to Cingular:

1) Visit any Cingular retail store or any retail outlet that offers Cingular service

2) Call 866-CINGULAR

3) Sign up on www.cingular.com

Also, Cingular has established a toll-free number to allow consumers to check on the status of a WLNP transaction that is pending. That number is 866-895-1097.

As part of a new promotion, Cingular is offering customers 500 bonus Rollover minutes when they sign a two-year contract.  Cingular is the only domestic wireless carrier to offer Rollover, which allows you to keep your unused anytime minutes from month to month; and FastForward, a device that lets you forward your wireless incoming calls to a designated landline, saving you from tapping into your wireless minutes. Cingular also offers a variety of local, regional and national rate plans, as well as Family Talk, which allows you to add a line for $9.99.

"I'm proud of the work of our employees, who have dedicated thousands of hours over the last few years developing and testing the processes to ensure WLNP is as efficient as possible for consumers," said Adam Vital, Vice President, Wireless Operations. "I am confident that we are well prepared to provide the best customer experience possible for those wanting to switch their number."

Cingular has invested more than $300 million in the last two years to prepare for WLNP.  The company has added a call center in Jacksonville, Florida, and hired nearly 1,000 additional customer service representatives in anticipation of increased volume of calls.

Cingular was the first carrier to publish the A to Z of WLNP - a consumer "tip sheet" on Wireless Local Number Portability.  Customers can save time by following these recommendations:

• Know the details.  Your new carrier will need to know information about your existing account.  So for convenience, 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 (for example, is it billed to "Bill" or "William" Smith), address, account number and phone number.
• Leave some time.  The process can take a few minutes or a few hours. It could take even longer for your phone to be fully functional (such as being able to receive incoming calls).
• Timing Counts.  Start the process with your new carrier.  If you cancel your current service with your existing carrier, you may end up losing your number.
• 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.
• Start from scratch.  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'll need to choose a new plan.
• Larger cities first.  WLNP is required to be available in the 100 largest metro areas on November 24th of this year.  Some carriers may offer it in smaller markets before late May 2004.
• The "L" in WLNP.  "Local" means when switching carriers you will be able to take your number within the same metro area but you may not be able to take it from one metro area to another.
•  Need your consent.  Your new wireless carrier will need your authorization to move your wireless number from your existing carrier. This protects you from carriers switching your number without your permission.

* Cingular also imposes the following charges: a Regulatory Cost Recovery Fee of up to $1.25 to help defray its costs incurred in complying with obligations and charges imposed by State and Federal telecom regulation, a gross receipts surcharge, and State and Federal Universal Service charges. The Regulatory Cost Recovery Fee is not a tax or a government required charge.
 

Web site:  http://www.cingular.com/

SOURCE Cingular