PITTSBURGH -- In just three weeks, the wireless phone industry will give its customers a perk mandated by the federal government. The Federal Communications Commission has ordered carriers to let customers keep their number when they switch companies.

The wireless industry fought the portability rule for six years, but now customers can port their cell phone number if they find a better deal at another company. Many say it's a move long overdue.

"People will know how to reach you. They're not going to have to worry about trying to find you," one customer said.

Linda Schell's customers had trouble finding her. She wishes portability was around when she switched wireless plans. She uses her wireless phone for business and personal calls, but had to change her number when she changed plans.

"They offered such a great plan that the only way I could get that plan was to change my phone number. It took me a couple months to get over that hump because people were used to calling that other number," Schell said.

Come November 24, customers will have their very own cell phone number to take with them to any company they choose.

But it's a convenience that's costing wireless companies millions of dollars to put the systems in place that allow porting of numbers and many are already charging customers to cover that cost.

"It's simply a $1.10 charge," Sprint representative Tony Wagner said.
And Sprint PCS customers are paying it each month with their bill.

"This fee is simply a charge that we're charging our customers for charges that were not there before," Wagner said.

Cricket, Nextel and AT&T Wireless already charge their customers fees to cover the cost of portability and other services like 911. Those fees vary from 45 cents to $1.75 per month.

But T-Mobile said it won't charge any fees for portability; and Verizon Wireless said it doesn't know if it's going to charge a monthly fee. A representative for the company said, "There could be an administration fee once local number portability goes into effect."

What else will customers gain on November 24, beside a possible new fee and the ability to port your number? Some experts said companies may offer better deals, like lower introductory rates, free or cheaper phones and other incentives to get customers to port their number over to their plan or stay put.

These are things the FCC was hoping for when they decided portability would help make wireless phone service more competitive.

"We see this as an important point for people who've invested a great deal into their telephone identity or cell phone identity," John Muleta of the FCC said.

But customers may be asked to sign a longer contract. So, before a customer goes with any company, here's what to check for to make sure they're getting the best deal:

Does it fit your calling pattern for long distance, local and regional calling?

Does the cell coverage area cover all the places you call from?

What are the rates are when you go over your allotted minutes?