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CNN Live At Daybreak
A Big Day for Cell Phone Companies
Aired November 24, 2003 - 06:21 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Today is a big day for those of you who are looking for better deals on your cell phone service. It's also a big day for the cell phone companies, who fear problems with the new portability rules.
CNN's Elaine Quijano sorts it all out for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For those with pent up phone service frustration...
CHRIS MURRAY, CONSUMERS UNION: I'm thinking of changing my service and I don't want to change the number because I've had it for like eight years.
QUIJANO: The Federal Communications Commission's new rules are welcome.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, after my contract expires, I'm switching.
QUIJANO: The FCC number portability rules mean you'll be able to take your number with you, whether you switch between cell phone carriers or switch from a land line at home to a cell phone. The FCC says the rules are aimed at getting you better service and a better deal.
KATHLEEN ABERNATHY, FCC COMMISSIONER: I think it's going to be very competitive and, in fact, I think consumers, just as with buying any product or service where there's competition out there, you need to educate yourself to get the best deal.
QUIJANO: Newspapers have been flooded with ads pushing for your business.
MURRAY: It's already sort of disrupted the competitive equilibrium that's out there and the consumers are seeing all kinds of great offers already.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've used it to get a better deal out of my existing company.
QUIJANO: But even if you don't switch and don't negotiate a new contract, the new rules could still cost you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come February 2004, we'll begin to charge $0.45 a month for federally mandated programs that include number portability.
QUIJANO: Other companies are also charging for the mandates, Sprint, $1.10 per line per customer and AT&T $1.75 per customer. Both companies say once they recover their costs, they'll stop charging the fees.
(on camera): If you do decide to make the switch, you should check for early termination fees. And experts say it might be good to wait a day or even a week to avoid any technical hang-ups.
Elaine Quijano, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired November 24, 2003 - 06:21 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Today is a big day for those of you who are looking for better deals on your cell phone service. It's also a big day for the cell phone companies, who fear problems with the new portability rules.
CNN's Elaine Quijano sorts it all out for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For those with pent up phone service frustration...
CHRIS MURRAY, CONSUMERS UNION: I'm thinking of changing my service and I don't want to change the number because I've had it for like eight years.
QUIJANO: The Federal Communications Commission's new rules are welcome.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, after my contract expires, I'm switching.
QUIJANO: The FCC number portability rules mean you'll be able to take your number with you, whether you switch between cell phone carriers or switch from a land line at home to a cell phone. The FCC says the rules are aimed at getting you better service and a better deal.
KATHLEEN ABERNATHY, FCC COMMISSIONER: I think it's going to be very competitive and, in fact, I think consumers, just as with buying any product or service where there's competition out there, you need to educate yourself to get the best deal.
QUIJANO: Newspapers have been flooded with ads pushing for your business.
MURRAY: It's already sort of disrupted the competitive equilibrium that's out there and the consumers are seeing all kinds of great offers already.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've used it to get a better deal out of my existing company.
QUIJANO: But even if you don't switch and don't negotiate a new contract, the new rules could still cost you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come February 2004, we'll begin to charge $0.45 a month for federally mandated programs that include number portability.
QUIJANO: Other companies are also charging for the mandates, Sprint, $1.10 per line per customer and AT&T $1.75 per customer. Both companies say once they recover their costs, they'll stop charging the fees.
(on camera): If you do decide to make the switch, you should check for early termination fees. And experts say it might be good to wait a day or even a week to avoid any technical hang-ups.
Elaine Quijano, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
