Fixed Mobile Convergence

Since its inception, number portability, whether in fixed line phones or mobile phones, has been playing a vital role in providing the users with advanced levels of freedom and flexibility while selecting the mobile operator suiting their needs and preferences.

Telcordia, a provider of mobile, broadband and enterprise communications software and services, has announced that is going to take part in a Request for Information (RFI (News - Alert)) that had recently been issued by the North American Portability Management, LLC, the North American Numbering Council and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC (News - Alert)).

Number portability solutions developed by Telcordia have deployed in a number of companies worldwide, such as United States of America , Canada , Mexico , India , Thailand , Malaysia , Pakistan , Egypt , Turkey , Saudi Arabia , Lithuania , Greece , UAE and South Africa.

“Telcordia (News - Alert) fully supports the process that has been put in place by the FCC to create a strong industry Local Number Portability Administration or ‘LNPA’ selection working group that comprises wireless, wireline and cable carriers, state regulators, and the North American Portability Management, LLC, and will be overseen by the North American Numbering Council,” commented Joel Zamlong, vice president at Telcordia North American Number Portability business. “We look forward to participating in this competitive procurement process with our world-leading number portability clearinghouse solutions and expertise,” noted Zamlong.

Dr. William Rogerson , professor of Economics at Northwestern University and former chief economist at the Federal Communications Commission had stated in his recent whitepaper that the industry will realize highest reduction in the costs and innovation impact over the next contract term by naming multiple LNPA vendors.

Titled “An Economic Analysis of Competitive Procurement Process Design Options for NPAC Services,” the whitepaper had been issued on of September 13, 2011, and more information about the document is available at the Telcordia NPAC information portal.

“Multi-vendor competition will result in the introduction of innovation in technology and services to the Number Portability Administration Center, as well as a reduction in the costs for consumers and wireless carriers that have escalated since its introduction in 1997,” added Zamlong.

In September 2011, Telcordia claimed to have enhanced its flagship service data platform (SDP) solution in a bid to bolster the ability of service providers planning to offer new generation of voice, data and content services on multiple networks and devices. The SDP solution is all about converging telecom, IT and cloud services on a single platform and offer on multiple networks.