HR0527 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0527 LRB094 12604 MKM 47344 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois Commerce Commission issued an order in April, 2005 establishing an "overlay" of a new 730 area code to supplement the telephone number supply in Illinois' 618 area code; and

WHEREAS, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) currently requires 11-digit dialing when an overlay area code is implemented; and

WHEREAS, Wireless portability went into effect in November, 2003; customers may now port their wireless number from one carrier to another and may also port their land line number to a wireless carrier; with the advent of inter-modal portability, the line of distinction between "wireless" and "wire line" numbering resources was erased and, with it, the viability of a "wireless only" overlay; and

WHEREAS, In 1996, Ameritech Illinois (now SBC) proposed to the FCC an area code overlay for wireless telephones; and

WHEREAS, The State of Pennsylvania (in 1998) and the Citizens Utility Board (in Illinois in 2001) petitioned the FCC for a waiver of 11-digit dialing in an overlay environment; and

WHEREAS, On December 29, 2001, the FCC reversed its long-standing opposition to wireless-only overlays, signaling that the Commission is potentially reconsidering its area code policies; and

WHEREAS, Implementing a new area code in the 618 overlay for only new wireless telephone subscribers would relieve current telephone subscribers within the 618 area code from the need for 11-digit dialing; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Federal Communications Commission to provide a waiver from implementing the new 730 area code for current telephone subscribers and to restrict the implementation of the 730 area code to new wireless telephone subscribers in the 618 overlay who have not exercised their portability option; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, the Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission, and each member of the Illinois congressional delegation.