Groups Seek Delay in Number Transfers

Groups representing local telephone companies called for a delay of a federal rule allowing mobile-phone customers to keep their numbers when switching carriers.

The Federal Communications Commission rule, set to take effect Nov. 24, would allow the public to move phone numbers to and from wireless services and regular phones. Unresolved issues such as payments and network connections between companies would cause “confusion and service disruption,” the groups wrote in letters to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and other lawmakers.

The U.S. Telecom Assn. and two other local phone groups want to postpone number portability until the FCC sorts out the issues.

Most wireless carriers oppose the rule altogether.