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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 12, 2003)
10 Wednesday, November 12, 2003 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS International Finance and Business With a dynamic faculty, curriculum, and resources unsurpassed in diversity and scope, SI PA trains tomorrow’s leaders to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Human Rights • Media Environmental Policy Regional Studies City Management and Urban Affairs Master of Public Administration Master of International Affairs Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy Executive Master of Public Administration Program in Economic Policy Management Public Analysis and Applied Economics Many other skill- and policy-based concentrations www.sipa.columbia.edu THE BATTALIOt Government allows transfer of phone number By Jonathan D. Salant THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — The days of having more than one phone number may be, well, numbered for many people. Federal regulators approved rules Monday making it easier for consumers to go totally wireless by allowing them to trans fer their home number to their cell phone. For those who favor traditional phones, the Federal Communications Commission also plans to allow people to transfer their cell number to their home phone, though ini tially only a few will have this option. These rules, which come on top of plans to allow people to keep their cell number when they change wireless companies, are aimed at boosting competition in the telecommunications industry. All the changes take effect Nov. 24 for customers in the 100 largest metropolitan areas. They will apply to everyone begin ning March 24. Consumer advocates predict the changes will lead to lower prices, better service and more options for phone customers. It also is likely to spur more people to ditch the traditional landline phone and go wireless. “After today, it’s easier than ever to cut the cord,” FCC Chairman Michael Powell said. “By firmly endorsing a customer's right to untether themselves from the wire- line network — and take their telephone number with them — we act to eliminate impediments to competition between wire less and wireline services.” Chris Murray, legislative counsel for Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports magazine, said the changes should spur competition in the local telephone market, which remains largely the domain of “Baby Bell" companies like Verizon and Qwest. Phone industry officials complained the new rules make it easy for cell companies to take away their customers, but difficult for them to go after wireless users. The reason has to do with the different local service areas for wireless and landline companies. Under the FCC regulations, a phone customer can unplug a corded phone and transfer the number to a cell phone if the wireless company serves the same area. But a customer wishing to transfer a number from a cell phone to a landline can only do that if the exchange — the three digits fol lowing the area code — falls within the same geographic area, known as a "rate center," in which the house or business is located. As a result, local phone companies be able to go after only about an eight cell phone customers, while the win industry has no similar restrictioe BellSouth spokesman Bill McCloskeysai: "These new rules say our wireless«n petitors can take our customers even fa the technology does not allow us to often same benefit of number portability tot vast majority , of their customer! McCloskey said. Commissioners acknowledged t inequities, but said the chance to inject w petition into the local phone market not be passed up. '‘While I do not believe that theseett cerns outweigh the very significant belief, to American consumers... I do wanttotiig light my keen interest in working with hi industry and the chairman and my commissioners on solutions to addressti inequity," Commissioner Adelstein said. As many a.s 7 million consumers use phones exclusively. Jeff Maszal, reset! director for 7'he Management Netu Group, an Overland Park. Kan.-basedcom C munications consulting firm, said another: million consumers are likely todroplk landlines for cell phones now thattheyci keep their home or business phone number: Fou spectiv Theate on coll Pati Texas Fritz A Picture James of Dig directo Car commi FLAT-FRONT PANTS • 100% heavyweight cotton • Premium construction • Sits lower on the waist • Straight wide leg • Classic fit • Durable pocket bags • Locker loop • Cell phone pocket Reg. $58. SALE 39.99 Regular and original prices are offering prices only and may or may not have resulted in sales. Advertised merchandise may be available at these or similar sale prices in upcoming sales this season. against “Th