FCC: Landline number move should take 1 day, not 4

NEW YORK -- The Federal Communications Commission is telling landline phone companies that they now have to act faster when their subscribers want to move their phone number to a rival service.

The commission voted Wednesday to require companies to transfer, or "port," landline phone numbers within one business day, down from the current four-day requirement.

Wireless numbers are currently ported within one day, and the commission noted that landline companies should be just as fast. The requirement takes effect in about a year.

Landline numbers can be transferred to competing landline services, such as those from cable or Internet calling companies, or to cell phones.