If you want an example of how to drag your feet, look no further than Canada's wireless industry, which claims to need at least two years
before it can even start testing technology that will let consumer keep
their phone numbers if they switch carriers. After having a study
done, over the summer, the industry said there are many technical issues to be tackled
before WNP can be launched across Canada. You have to laugh given WNP
has been in the U.S. since 2003 and it is available throughout Europe.
When the Canadian government
told the wireless industry in February to “expeditously” implement WNP,
I'm willing to bet it wasn't thinking of a two or three year timeframe
before its launch. The carriers clearly want to maintain the status quo
for as long as they can because once you give consumers WNP, they start
looking for things like customer service and competitive prices -
otherwise they switch! Look for Virgin Mobile Canada to aggressively
push the issue as it tries to gain a bigger foothold against Bell
Mobility, Telus Mobility and Rogers Wireless.
Looking at the study, it says that testing would begin in 2006 and then launched during a pilot in London Ontario in May 2007. Canada will certainly be one of the last major coutries to launch the capability – but not much farther behind than Japan.
According to the study, testing would begin in 2006 and a pilot in London ON in May 2007.
who needs a national launch? having toronto montreal and vancouver wait for regina and manitoba is absolutely ridiculous. you're right – more needless delay.