Number Portability
Number portability means keeping your old telephone number when you pick a new telephone company. That hasn't been possible with mobile phones before but it will soon become law in the United States. Starting on November 24, 2003, wireless companies in the 100 top American markets must maintain your present number, even if you switch carriers. It's also required that you can get your home telephone number transferred to your wireless. Background information is here:
http://wireless.fcc.gov/wlnp/ (external link)
Wireless carriers will delay implementing it but eventually portability will become standard practice. It's estimated that up to 40% of wireless users may switch carriers in portability's first year. Will portability improve cost, service, and coverage? Perhaps. If customers can change providers as easily as their long distance company, wireless companies might try harder to keep people happy. This is an optimistic view.
Besides some effort to improve, wireless companies will focus on writing long term contracts, with two years becoming the norm. And they'll keep making wireless plans so confusing that you won't be able to easily compare different carriers. Don't sign a contract until after the 24th. Cellular radio is wonderful technology but the way it is sold and marketed is miserable. A shame.
Consumers' Union has excellent information on this subject, including ways to protest delaying tactics to Congress:
http://www.consumersunion.org/