Benefits
Local number portability, allows the customer to change local service providers at its location while retaining the same telephone number. For instance, one could switch local phone service from PRT to AT&T without a change to their number. Arrangements have been made between PRT and AT&T to ensure that the transition is seamless to the customer.

How does LNP foster competition in the telecom industry?
Number Portability breaks the paradigm that a telephone number belongs to a specific local exchange company. LNP enhances competition in the local serving area by allowing the customer the flexibility of choosing between service providers with no change of number. Prior to LNP, a user who wanted to change service providers would typically have to change his/her phone number.

How does LNP work today?
LNP is simply a sort of "Call Forward" from one number to another. If Person A calls Customer B at their existing PRT Number, PRT intercepts the call. It determines that the subscriber phone number is now served by AT&T and the call is then routed via the appropriate route to AT&T's switching center, and from there to Customer B's phone. All this happens in a fraction of a second.

Requirements of Local Number Portability
The customer must be using AT&T facilities (on-net customers).
The customer is planning to use AT&T facilities (fiber or facilities construction is taking place).
The customer cannot move outside its existing PRT calling zones.

Does the customer incur in any charges?
There is a minimal set up fee determined by the number of lines owned by the customer.