In an attempt to smooth the transition for customers interested in switching carriers after wireless local number portability is implemented Nov. 24, Nextel Communications Inc. and Cingular Wireless L.L.C. announced the completion of a service-level agreement defining the process to which the two carriers will adhere when porting phone numbers between each other’s network.
Both carriers noted the importance of such agreements leading up to the Nov. 24 mandate, adding consumers will be better served if wireless carriers pursue agreements with every partner with which they might port numbers in the top 100 metropolitan statistical areas.
“Cingular is committed to making sure wireless customers have a positive experience when changing carriers,” said Adam Vital, vice president of wireless operations and support at Cingular. “Cingular has spent tens of millions of dollars on information technology and training. This agreement with Nextel is only the latest achievement in our WLNP work.”
Nextel announced a similar deal with Sprint PCS late last month.
“Nextel has diligently pursued port testing and SLAs with other carriers, as well as prepared our own systems and business processes to support WLNP,” explained Mark Schweitzer, senior vice president of marketing for Nextel.
