Sir Richard Branson picked up on the celphone number portability issue in remarks earlier today launching Virgin Mobile in Canada. Quotes:
Sir Richard Branson launched Virgin Mobile’s wireless service in Canada with characteristic flair. Dressed as a superhero out to rescue wireless customers, he whizzed down a line from a downtown Toronto building yesterday and rode a monster truck over symbolic competitors.
But he acknowledged yesterday his job will be more difficult because Canadians can’t take their cellphone numbers with them when they switch to a rival carrier.
…
Some postpaid subscribers will be reluctant to switch to Virgin Mobile because they will have to change their cell phone numbers, Mr. Branson said. He plans to push Canada’s telecommunications regulator to introduce wireless number portability, something that the government is already requesting.
This following news earlier this week that, against all hope, the Government is going to fast-track portability.
Good advance work by Virgin in getting portability into their message to the public.