Verizon distanced itself Thurs. from a letter issued by 3 ILEC tr...

deadline for wireless local number portability. Verizon is one of the largest members of USTA. It had announced last month that it was reversing its earlier opposition to wireless LNP and wasn’t likely to impose a surcharge of more than 15 cents per customer after the Nov. 24 deadline. The joint letter from USTA, the Independent Telephone & Telecommunications Alliance and the Western Alliance said the FCC had not resolved serious implementation issues on wireless LNP, including factors related to E911 callbacks and wireless-wireline porting (CD July 24 p8). The only “real” deadline for wireless LNP should be the point at which the FCC resolved those issues, the letter said. “Verizon agrees there are real issues with wireless LNP that can adversely affect the customer’s experience if not resolved,” a Verizon spokesman said. “But we are not calling for delaying implementation. Yes, the FCC has an important role to play in providing guidelines, but we call for all involved to roll up their sleeves and solve the problems to get the job done.” Meanwhile, AT&T Wireless officials said in an earnings conference call late Wed. that customer turnover decisions don’t appear to be shaped now in anticipation of the Nov. 24 deadline. The carrier reported churn (customer turnover rate) of 2.2% in the 2nd quarter, which officials said was 20 basis points better than the year-ago period. Asked by an analyst whether customers appeared to be hanging on to their phones in anticipation of the LNP date, Michael Keith, pres.- mobility operations, said that hadn’t had an impact. Meanwhile, several wireless carriers are expected to file a petition for review next week at the FCC of a July 3 letter from Bureau Chief John Muleta on wireless LNP implementation issues. CTIA had told the bureau earlier this month that Muleta’s guidance didn’t go far enough to address industry questions on LNP. The group had asked for clarification of several implementation issues after the U.S. Appeals Court, D.C., last month turned down a wireless industry challenge to the Commission’s decision to retain LNP requirement on wireless operators. Muleta said carriers wouldn’t be held liable for 911 callbacks that were lost during the porting period, citing the “mixed service” period during which a customer porting a number between wireless and wireline service might not have the correct callback number listed for a 911 operator. Among other issues that Muleta said would be addressed before the Nov. 24 deadline are how to handle a wireline customer who ports to a wireless carrier without a rate center presence in the customer’s wireline rate center.