Cingular, AT&T; Boost Wireless Cost Forecasts
From Bloomberg News
Cingular Wireless and AT&T; Wireless Services Inc. said a rule that lets customers keep their phone numbers when switching carriers is costing them more than forecast.
Cingular said complying with the order would cost it $377 million through next year. In 2001, Cingular’s forecast was $250 million over five years. AT&T; Wireless said it would spend $380 million through 2005; its earlier estimate was $92 million over two years.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael K. Powell has said regulators, who have extended the number-portability deadline three times, won’t do it again.
