Why You Should Keep Your Phone Number for Life

Have you ever lost contact with someone because they changed their phone number? Have you ever received a call or a text from a stranger who was trying to reach the previous owner of your number? Have you ever had trouble logging into an online account because you forgot to update your phone number for two-factor authentication?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. Millions of Canadians face these problems every year because of the way phone numbers are assigned and managed in our country. Phone numbers are not permanent, but rather temporary identifiers that can be changed or recycled by phone companies at any time. This means that you have no guarantee that you will keep your phone number for as long as you want, or that your number will not be given to someone else after you stop using it.

This is not only inconvenient, but also costly and risky. Changing your phone number can disrupt your personal and professional relationships, as well as your access to essential services and platforms. It can also expose you to identity theft, fraud, spam, and harassment from unknown callers. Moreover, it can waste valuable resources and time for both consumers and businesses, who have to update their contact information and verify their identities every time a phone number changes.

That is why I propose that Canada should adopt a system of lifelong phone number ownership, where every citizen has the right to keep their phone number for life, regardless of their service provider, location, or device. This would not only solve the problems mentioned above, but also create many benefits for our economy and society.

How Lifelong Phone Number Ownership Works
Lifelong phone number ownership is not a new or radical idea. In fact, it is already implemented in many countries around the world, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In these countries, phone numbers are portable, meaning that consumers can switch between different phone companies without changing their numbers. They can also keep their numbers when they move to different regions or countries, or when they change from landline to mobile phones or vice versa.
In Canada, however, phone numbers are not fully portable. While consumers can keep their numbers when they switch between different mobile providers within the same area code, they cannot do so when they move to a different area code or when they switch from landline to mobile phones or vice versa. This means that Canadians have less choice and flexibility when it comes to their phone services, and more hassle and expense when they have to change their numbers.

Lifelong phone number ownership would change that. It would allow Canadians to keep their numbers no matter what phone company they choose, where they live, or what device they use. It would also prevent phone companies from reassigning unused numbers to other customers, ensuring that every number belongs to one person only.

The Benefits of Lifelong Phone Number Ownership

Lifelong phone number ownership would have many positive impacts on our economy and society. Here are some of them:

• It would save money and time for consumers and businesses. Consumers would not have to pay fees or buy new SIM cards every time they change their numbers. They would also not have to update their contact information with various institutions and platforms, such as banks, government agencies, social media, online shopping, etc. Businesses would not have to spend resources on verifying and updating their customer databases, or on dealing with wrong numbers and missed calls.

• It would improve communication and c
  onnectivity. Consumers would be able to stay in touch with their friends, family, colleagues, and clients more easily and reliably. They would also be able to access more services and opportunities that require a valid phone number, such as online banking, e-commerce, health care, education, etc. Businesses would be able to reach more customers and partners more effectively and efficiently.

• It would enhance security and privacy. Consumers would be less vulnerable to identity theft, fraud, spam, and harassment from unknown callers who may have obtained their old numbers. They would also have more control over who can contact them and how. Businesses would be able to protect their confidential information and reputation from unauthorized access and misuse.

• It would boost innovation and competition. Consumers would have more freedom and incentive to switch between different phone companies based on their needs and preferences, without worrying about losing their numbers. This would create more demand and pressure for better quality and lower prices of phone services. Phone companies would have to innovate and compete more on their products and features, rather than on their numbers.

• It would increase GDP and tax revenue. According to a study by the London School of Economics (LSE), introducing full number portability in Canada could increase GDP by 0.5% per year (or $9 billion) by 2030. This is because it would reduce transaction costs for consumers and businesses, increase productivity and efficiency in communication sectors, stimulate consumer spending and business investment in phone services, and create more jobs and income in related industries. It would also generate more tax revenue for the government, as phone companies would pay more fees for using the numbers, and consumers and businesses would pay more taxes on their increased income and spending.

Why We Need Lifelong Phone Number Ownership Now

Lifelong phone number ownership is not only beneficial, but also necessary and urgent. As our society becomes more digital and mobile, phone numbers are becoming more important and valuable as identifiers and connectors. They are not just numbers, but extensions of our identities and lives.

However, our current system of phone number management is outdated and inefficient. It does not reflect the reality and needs of our modern society. It creates unnecessary problems and costs for consumers and businesses, and limits their choices and opportunities. It also wastes a scarce and valuable resource that could be used more effectively and efficiently.

That is why we need to change our system and adopt lifelong phone number ownership as soon as possible. It is a simple and sensible solution that would make our lives easier, safer, and better. It is a win-win situation for everyone: consumers, businesses, phone companies, and the government.

If you agree with me, please sign this petition to urge the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to implement lifelong phone number ownership in Canada. Together, we can make this happen.

Thank you for your support.