Local number portability
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Local number portability (LNP) is the ability to take an existing telephone number assigned by a local exchange carrier (LEC) or a mobile phone provider, and reassign it to another LEC or other telephony provider.
In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated this in order to increase competition among providers. As of late November 2003, LNP was required of all landline and wireless common carriers, so long as the number is being ported to the same geographical area or telephone exchange.
See also: local loop unbundling