Congress recognized that the inability for customers to retain their telephone number when changing from one local telephone service provider to another hampers the development of local competition.

To address this concern, Congress added Section 251(b)(2) to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, requiring all Local Exchange Carriers (LECs), both incumbents (ILEC) and new entrants (CLECs), to provide number portability, to the extent technically feasible and in accordance with requirements prescribed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

For additional information regarding FCC regulations, click on the link below.

Federal Communications Commission