LANSING, October 11.   The Michigan Public Service Commission today ordered 
NeuStar, Inc. and the telecommunications industry to take the necessary steps to implement 
number pooling in the 313 area code by February 24, 2002 and in the 734 area code by July 
1, 2002.  The Commission concluded that the availability of numbering resources has 
become a significant issue for telephone service providers and their customers and that 
creating still more area codes is not an adequate response when there are alternative 
solutions, such as number pooling.   The Commission further found that the parties opposed 
to conducting a trial in Michigan have not provided a sufficient reason not to proceed at this 
time.  Today's order stated that the Commission will address the issue of cost recovery in a 
subsequent order in the near future.
The Commission concluded that the 313 area code is well-suited to be the first area 
code to begin number pooling due to the small number of rate centers (6).  This will entail 
less technical work for the telephone industry, which is already working to implement five 
area code relief measures in Michigan.
On September 7, 2001, the Commission sought public comment on instituting 
thousands-block number pooling trials in Michigan as authorized by an August 24, 2001 
Federal Communications Commission order.  The FCC order granted the MPSC conditional 
authority to institute thousands-block number pooling trials in Michigan.  The FCC order 
grants the MPSC authority to implement pooling trials that conform to the national 
framework until national pooling commences.    On January 30, 2001, the MPSC requested 
approval from the FCC to initiate 1,000 block number pooling trials in Michigan as one tool 
to more effectively deal with the escalating demand for telephone numbers.  Under a 1,000 
block number pooling trial, the pooling administrator will issue telephone numbers to 
wireline telephone service providers in the 313 and 734 areas in a block of 1,000 numbers 
rather than in 10,000 block increments.  Wireless carriers are required by the FCC to be 
"ready" to number pool by November 24, 2002. 
	"While we are aware that number pooling is not a substitute for timely area code 
relief we are very pleased to have another tool to more effectively deal with the escalating 
demand for telephone numbers," said Chairman Laura Chappelle.    "We are committed to 
moving forward as quickly as possible with the number conservation authority delegated to 
Michigan by the FCC." 
	The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Consumer and Industry Services.

Case No.  U-13086
October 11, 2001
(MPSC orders implementation of number pooling in the 313 and 734 area codes)