By Sharla Sikes

The FCC recently issued a ruling stating that VoIP service providers must offer local number portability.

The Oct. 31 mandate states that providers are not allowed to “obstruct or delay” number porting or demand information from a customer’s new provider. The order said that “tentatively,” numbers must be ported within 48 hours of a customer’s request, and concluded that LNP validation for a simple number port should be based on no more than four fields: (1) 10-digit telephone number; (2) customer account number; (3) 5-digit zip code; and (4) pass code, if applicable. 

According to the FCC, their action “was, in part, a response to numerous complaints by consumers about their inability to port numbers to or from interconnected VoIP providers” and “will further ensure consumers’ opportunity to choose a telephone service provider based on quality, price and service.”

The order brings VoIP providers more in line with traditional land-line providers, who have been required to port numbers since 2003. The FCC has recently required VoIP providers to offer universal service, customer proprietary network information protections and disability access.

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