Local number portability and local loop competition - Critical issues

Local telephone number portability (LNP), the ability of a telephone subscriber to change local exchange carriers, location or type of service without changing telephone numbers, is an essential feature of a competitive local loop market, This article describes these three types of portability and then examines the implications for local loop competition of specific LNP issues: implementation techniques; E-911 emergency services delivery; neutrality of subscriber database and number administration; infrastructure cost allocation and cost recovery, Evolution of number portability policy in the US, including jurisdictional complications, is reviewed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd, AII rights reserved.