Court Allows Number Switch
Appeals Court Rules Against Delaying Number Portability
By Yuki Noguchi
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, November 22, 2003; Page E01

A federal appeals court yesterday refused to delay a plan to allow customers to switch their home telephone numbers to cell phones beginning Monday, but said it would consider the objections of local phone companies next week.

A similar rule also scheduled to go into effect Monday would allow customers to keep their phone numbers when switching wireless carriers. That rule faced a challenge from a group of four rural phone companies who sought a delay, but late yesterday the court denied that petition. "We're pleased that consumers will have the freedom to transfer their numbers on Monday as planned," said Richard Diamond, spokesman for the FCC.