Local Number Portability Surcharge (LNP)

Local Number Portability (LNP) is a service that provides residential and business traditional (wired) telephone customers with the ability to retain, at the same location, their existing local telephone numbers when switching from one local telephone service provider to another. LNP was mandated by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Per an FCC ruling, each access line is subject to a this monthly charge regardless of whether the number has been ported or not.

Since each state is responsible for implementation of LNP, timetables vary; the specifics of the implementation vary, as well. The FCC allows, but does not require, local telephone companies to pass certain costs of implementing and maintaining long-term number portability on to their customers.