The Change Mariner

Wireless Domain Faces Big Changes

Charleston.Net:

The new rules allowing for number portability will lead to fat discounts and shifting control of cell phones used for business, industry insiders predict.

"It will turn the wireless world upside down," said Susan Cheney, Midwest vice president for Sprint PCS.

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It's common for executives and salespeople to buy their own cell phones and then to submit expense accounts covering the monthly charges, he said. But it's less common for businesses to contract with a wireless carrier to offer service at a substantial discount, he said.

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Corporate control was stymied because workers didn't want new numbers with a new wireless service. They fear losing business contacts who have their old cell phone numbers.

With the number portability deadline looming Nov. 24, expect businesses to make substantial changes in how they view cell phones.