Long-Term Use of the Same Phone Number: Weighing the Pros and Cons and the Dilemma of "Lucky Number" Users with Number Porting

Long-Term Use of the Same Phone Number: Weighing the Pros and Cons and the Dilemma of "Lucky Number" Users with Number PortingKeeping the same phone number for a long time has become part of the identity for most people, as it carries numerous precious memories and important connections. However, with the continuous development of communication technology, the importance of phone numbers is also changing

Long-Term Use of the Same Phone Number: Weighing the Pros and Cons and the Dilemma of "Lucky Number" Users with Number Porting

Keeping the same phone number for a long time has become part of the identity for most people, as it carries numerous precious memories and important connections. However, with the continuous development of communication technology, the importance of phone numbers is also changing. How should we weigh the pros and cons of keeping the same phone number for the long term? Moreover, how can we address the obstacles faced by "lucky number" users when they try to port their numbers?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Long-Term Use of the Same Phone Number

Using the same phone number for an extended period offers some practical benefits, such as:

• Improved Personal Creditworthiness: A long-term phone number often signifies a user's good communication record and high reliability. This can provide a positive impression in situations where personal credit checks are required, such as applying for loans or renting properties.

• Enjoy Carrier Discounts: Carriers typically offer different discounts and privileges based on the user's network tenure. Long-term users might receive benefits such as non-disconnection even with unpaid bills, data bonuses for network anniversary, free upgrade to premium plans, and discounts on call duration and services.

However, long-term use of the same number also has some drawbacks:

• Expensive Over-the-Quota Charges: Although carriers offer discounts, they still charge standard rates for data and call charges beyond the plan limits, sometimes even imposing hefty fees. Even long-term users may face expensive charges if they have high usage.

• Diminishing Importance of Phone Numbers: With the constant evolution of communication technologies, the role of phone numbers is gradually diminishing. Many applications and social media platforms now employ independent account systems where users can authenticate and communicate through email addresses, social media accounts, etc., rendering phone numbers less crucial than before.

Therefore, users need to weigh the pros and cons when deciding whether to keep the same number for the long term, making a reasonable choice based on their specific needs.

The Dilemma of "Lucky Number" Users Porting Their Numbers

With the advancement of communication technologies and intensified market competition, number portability has become a common practice. However, some carriers have imposed unreasonable barriers for "lucky number" users, significantly infringing upon their legitimate rights.

"Lucky numbers" refer to phone numbers with specific patterns or meanings, such as repeating digits, sequential digits, or numbers with special significance. These numbers are considered "lucky" by some carriers because of their limited availability and collectible value. In recent years, many "lucky number" users have encountered obstacles from carriers when attempting to port their numbers, primarily manifested as:

• Mandatory Long-Term Agreements: Some carriers require "lucky number" users to sign contracts for 15 years of network usage before allowing them to port their numbers. This practice is undoubtedly a severe violation of user rights and contradicts the initial purpose of number portability.

• Retrospective Designation of "Lucky Numbers": Some carriers go even further by unilaterally designating ordinary numbers as "lucky" after the fact, forcing users to sign long-term agreements. For example, a user may be informed during number portability that their number is considered a "lucky number" and required to sign a 15-year contract. However, they had not signed any "lucky number" agreement when obtaining the number. This practice not only infringes on users' right to choose but also exhibits clear signs of fraud.

Carriers' unilateral designation of ordinary numbers as "lucky" and the imposition of long-term agreements are clearly designed to bind users firmly, preventing them from switching networks to maintain their monopoly and profits.

Legal professionals point out that if users have signed a "lucky number" agreement beforehand, the long-term usage clause is generally legally valid. However, carriers also have a corresponding duty to inform, meaning they must clearly disclose to users when they obtain a number that it is a "lucky number" and explain the relevant terms. If carriers fail to fulfill their duty to inform, users can use legal channels to claim that the penalty conditions are invalid.

The Chaotic State of "Lucky Number" Management

Different regions and carriers have different definitions and management regulations for "lucky numbers," further exacerbating industry chaos and disorder. Some regions consider numbers with repeating digits as "lucky," while others treat them as ordinary numbers. Some carriers implement long-term agreement management for "lucky numbers," while others do not have relevant regulations. This lack of unified standards poses a significant threat to user rights.

Carriers' imposition of unreasonable barriers to number portability for "lucky number" users is a serious infringement of user rights. It not only contradicts the initial purpose of number portability but also exposes the shortcomings of carriers' monopolistic thinking and unfair contract clauses.

Calls for Action and Recommendations

To regulate carrier behavior and protect user rights, it is necessary to urge relevant departments to establish unified "lucky number" management regulations, specifically including:

• Clarify the Definition and Identification Standards of "Lucky Numbers": The current varied definitions of "lucky numbers" among different regions and carriers pose a serious threat to user rights. Relevant departments should establish unified definitions and identification standards for "lucky numbers," clearly defining which numbers fall under the category of "lucky numbers" and which are ordinary numbers. This can prevent carriers from abusing the concept of "lucky numbers" and restricting ordinary numbers as well.

• Regulate the Agreement Signing Process for "Lucky Numbers": Carriers should inform users clearly when obtaining a number, indicating that it is a "lucky number" and explaining the associated terms and consequences. If users decline to sign the "lucky number" agreement, carriers should not refuse to provide them with an ordinary number. For users who have already signed "lucky number" agreements, carriers should fulfill their corresponding service obligations without unilaterally increasing user obligations.

• Reasonably Limit the Duration of "Lucky Number" Agreements: Currently, some carriers require "lucky number" users to sign contracts for 15 years of network usage. This practice is clearly unreasonable and severely infringes upon users' autonomy. Relevant departments should set reasonable maximum durations based on industry realities to prevent carriers from abusing long-term agreements to trap users.

• Increase Penalties for Violations: For violations such as abusing the concept of "lucky numbers," imposing long-term agreements, and refusing to process number portability, relevant departments should impose severe penalties to maintain industry order and user rights. They should also establish corresponding complaint and redress mechanisms to facilitate users reporting and seeking redress for carrier violations.

Regulating carriers' "lucky number" management practices and protecting user rights is an urgent matter. Only by establishing unified management regulations, clarifying the definition and identification standards for "lucky numbers," standardizing the agreement signing process, reasonably limiting the agreement duration, and increasing penalties for violations can we truly address this issue and promote fair and orderly development of the telecommunication industry.

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