By Business Wire, March 08, 2013, 10:27:00 AM EDT
STERLING, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
A new report released today found that Americans have the fastest
wireless number portability system in the world, resulting in billions
of dollars in annual savings for wireless consumers. The report also
found that any disruption to the number portability system's efficiency
could potentially have a significant impact on wireless consumers.
Neustar, Inc. (NYSE:NSR) currently administers the United States' number
portability system, enabling consumers to take their phone numbers to a
new carrier quickly and inexpensively. Number portability has been a
driver of innovation and competition in the U.S. wireless market over
the past decade.
U.S. wireless consumers benefited from annual savings of $8-10 billion
between 2005 and 2010 due to Mobile Number Portability (MNP), according
to a report by Navigant Economics Managing Director Hal J. Singer. In
his report, "The Consumer Benefits of an Efficient Mobile Number
Portability System," Singer attributes the savings to an efficient and
reliable number portability infrastructure that simplifies the process
to port, or transfer, a phone number from one carrier to another,
therefore lowering the barriers to changing service providers.
Reducing the time and cost involved in transferring a phone number to a
new telecom carrier makes it easier for consumers to change service
providers. An efficient MNP system encourages competition by giving
consumers the freedom and confidence to switch service providers without
having to give up their phone number. This level of competition fosters
innovation, encouraging carriers to respond creatively to consumer
demands.
"This report demonstrates how important it is for U.S. consumers to
continue to have the gold standard number portability system," said
Steve Edwards, Neustar's senior vice president for Carrier Services. "As
the administrator of this crucial element of the nation's
telecommunications infrastructure, Neustar continually meets the demands
of an ever-changing industry in a way that enhances competition and
benefits consumers."
"The U.S. regime is by far the most efficient MNP regime in the world
when it comes to porting a wireless line to a new carrier in the
shortest amount of time," Singer said in the report. "By reducing
switching costs, an efficient MNP regime promotes significant benefits
for wireless consumers."
Neustar became the administrator of the Number Portability
Administration Center in 1997 and has been an integral part of the
technology revolution experienced by the communications industry since
MNP was implemented in 2004. With Neustar's efficiency, U.S. consumers
can transfer their number to a new service provider in less than two
hours, and in many cases, only a matter of minutes. In other countries,
the process can take days or even weeks.
Singer also found that any disruption in the services could reduce the
system's efficiency. "Changing the U.S. mobile number portability
administration could significantly reduce the benefits wireless
consumers have enjoyed as the result of having such an efficient system
over the past decade," Singer said.
To download Dr. Singer's paper, which was commissioned by Neustar, click
here.
About Neustar
Neustar, Inc. (NYSE:NSR) is a trusted, neutral provider of real-time
information and analysis to the Internet, telecommunications,
information services, financial services, retail, media and advertising
sectors. Neustar applies its advanced, secure technologies in location,
identification, and evaluation to help its customers promote and protect
their businesses. More information is available at www.neustar.biz.
For more information about Neustar's role as the administrator of the
Number Portability Administration Center, visit www.NPACforAmerica.biz.
Source: Neustar, Inc.