Canada on verge of number portability
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Oct 27th 2006 1:11PM
posted Oct 27th 2006 1:11PM
Americans have been enjoying number portability for a while now (though not without its fair share of hiccups), but some surprising names make the list of countries that haven't yet taken the plunge; Japan, for example, just flipped the switch for fickle customers this month. It appears that next up will be our neighbors to the North, with Fido noting on their website that all major Canadian carriers will be allowing number transfers in "all metropolitan areas" no later than March 14 of next year. Regional carriers will still be on the hook to allow outbound transfers by the same date, but are given a reprieve until next September to get the inbound side working. Any Canadian readers out there anxious to make the switch? Tell us all those heart-wrenching stories in comments![Thanks, Frank]
I eagerly await the day when I can bring my landline number to my cell phone and tell Ma Bell where she can shove it.
Holy Canadian snow blizzard!!
I've been waiting for this for ages!!!!!
Glad to hear its coming finaly.
Seriously, we're SO behind the times here.
Frank
'Bout damn time. Maybe now (when portability is a reality, that is) I won't get phone calls and faxes trying to send to my voicemail box for some construction company in Michigan
Ditto on the other two comments. It's about time. I wonder how this will affect our contracts. 3 year contracts are all the rage up here for those ultra cheap phones. Guess I will have to keep my Prepaid Account active (on Fido) for just a little longer so maybe I can have some choices.
Hope this opens up more competition in cellular rates and hopefully the prices drop a little (especially for Data plans)
I'm from Canada and I'm with Bell Mobility (CDMA). But, I'm available for an upgrade. Since, I think that Rogers (GSM) has always the better phones and the more choice, the nunmber portability IS what I'm waiting for !!! March 14 will be a long wait !!!
I think Rogers is going to be the big winner. Especially on the corporate customer side.
In the WEST, large companies have typically gone with Telus since Cantel had such a bad name back in the day.
Can't wait. Not because I want to change (I'm already with Rogers, only real option for GSM) but because of the changes it will make. Hopefully, lowered rates, shorter contracts, etc. Like has already been stated.
I work for a Rogers Wireless dealer in Toronto, Canada and can't even begin to tell you how much this will help sales for Rogers in this city (maybe even the country). I cant even count the amount of times that Bell Mobility Customers have come into my store and wanted to sign with ROgers but dont want to lose their number. Also another great advantage is that you are able to take someones old contract that is not available anymore with out changing your number ( most notably city fido $45 plan. Will pass this information on to my customers with joy :)
This is something I really want.
I have been a customer of Bell Mobility for over 20 years and will take my phone and my employees and move to Rogers or Telus right away.
I have contacts in the industry and am told Bell will do a MAJOR ad campaign over the holidays to sign people up on 3 year terms ( existing and new customers). Most people dont know about NUMBER PORTABILITY and may fall into the Bell trap of signing up.
CAUTION to them.
Who will win? Rogers for wireless as they have the best network.
Telus I think will gain the most % increase and have the most to win in the long run if they improve their packages and retail operations which are very poor.
I am itching to upgrade but holding off till March.
I bet all carriers will offer great deals to switch over.
I hope SOMEONE will offer a data package like Sprint US offering $49 UNLIMITED DATA.
Also note, someone ( not sure but I guess Google or Vonage ) will be offering WIFI phones and networks in 2009 timframe so carriers will be hit with double wammy. Bell again will be the big loser.
My recommendation is switch in 2007 on a 2 or 3 year and then switch to WIFI phone in 2009/2010.
HAve a great day all!!!!!
Interesting!
inphonex offering LNP ??
today i emailed inphonex customer svc and they told me they will start to port numbers in within a week or two.
Has anyone else heard this? If this is true i will no longer be using them as my backup, they will be my main provider. This will also help me with all the Vonage people that ask where they should move to.