The Federal Communications Commission is trying to encourage competition by allowing cellphone users to keep the same number when they switch services, the same way that landline users can keep the same number if they switch local services. The theory behind this is that many customers stick with a particular plan because they've come to rely on a particular cellphone number, e.g., by distributing that number to their friends or business associates.
The cellphone industry has appealed to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals to stop the FCC's efforts, arguing that such a regulation will cost at least $1 billion and that it is unnecessary because the cellphone market is already so competitive.
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