Number portability along with bundled services are taking on a new look
under a calling system about to roll out from Cingular, SBC and BellSouth
that integrates wireless numbers with wireline numbers.
Cingular Wireless, whose parent companies are SBC Communications and BellSouth
, plans to roll out a new wireless
service that lets wireless phone customers forward their calls to a wireline
number.
The “FastForward” device that helps forward the call is a cradle-like
device. When it’s plugged in and “holding” a Cingular phone, calls to the
cellular customer’s number can be automatically forwarded to a wireline
number. The companies said the device also charges the phone while it’s in
the cradle. The device and service will be available October first.
The new service is part of a bigger plan by voice carriers who pledge to
help simplify calling plans. They are also trying to make it easier for
customers to stick with one carrier that can bundle their wireless, wireline
and even high-speed data services on one phone line.
To that end, Cingular said it would provide the service for free to SBC
residential local phone company customers who receive a single bill for
Cingular wireless and landline services, and to BellSouth customers who sign
up for a combined bill and two other features.