Craig Pfister figured he would save a bundle if he used the same cell phone carrier as his two business partners, allowing them all to make calls to each other for free.

But the Franklin Park resident has been reluctant to switch because that would mean going through the hassle of changing his phone number.

		Vying for customers These are the Top 10 mobile phone carriers in the country as of year-end 2002. 1. Verizon Wireless 2. Cingular Wireless 3. AT&T Wireless 4. Sprint PCS 5. Nextel 6. T-Mobile 7. Alltel 8. U.S. Cellular 9. Cricket Communications 10. Cellular One/Western Wireless. Source: Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association. When is a deal really a deal? Here are some Web sites offering help comparing wireless plans: www.point.com www.myrateplan.com www.saveonphone.com www.getconnected.com www.wirelessadvisor.com

"My number is all over my business card," he said, explaining that his clients and friends are used to it.

Pfister is about to get a break. In about a week, he and millions of other cell phone users across the country will be able to switch carriers and take their old numbers with them.

The Federal Communications Commission's ruling mandating "number portability," which will take effect next Monday in top metropolitan areas, including Pittsburgh, also will let people transfer their home phone numbers to mobile carriers. In smaller markets, portability rules will be phased in starting in May.

Customers previously tethered to one company because they didn't want to lose their numbers will be free to shop around. That new freedom is expected to unleash a flood of enticing offers from companies eager to steal wandering customers and keep existing ones from bolting.

"There will be a feeding frenzy among carriers to gain market share," said Allan Keiter, head of myrateplan.com, a Web site that helps consumers compare mobile phone plans.

Still, industry watchers say, there are a number of factors you should consider before gobbling the bait.

Already, wireless companies have been stepping up advertising and dangling incentives, such as discounts on fancy phones, cash credits and waivers on activation fees on two-year contracts, hoping to lock in customers before the portability deadline.

Now might not be the best time to bite, however.

"I wouldn't want to sign for two years," Keiter said. "Two years is a long time, and prices have only been going down."

He advises sitting tight for at least a few weeks, because discount offers are expected to get sweeter after portability kicks in.

Good deals aside, a consumer ought tothink hard about switching carriers in the middle of a contract, which could trigger a cancellation fee of $150 or more.

"As exciting as another offer might sound, if you're hit with a penalty, it could totally offset any savings," said Bill Hardekopf, chief executive at SaveOnPhone.com, another plan comparison site.

Hardekopf believes companies will boost early termination fees and other "fine print charges" in coming months to help recoup turnover costs and curb defections by making switching more costly.

Even if you aren't under contract, experts say, don't rush out next Monday and be among the first to transfer a phone number to a new carrier. According to some estimates, 6 million to 9 million customers could switch carriers the first week.

"This is a whole new process. There are bound to be glitches," Keiter said.

"A smart consumer will wait a few weeks until things calm down, and let someone else deal with the glitches."

If the time comes to switch, it's important to wait until your new service is activated before canceling your old one or you may lose your number, experts stressed.

According to FCC guidelines, transferring your number from one cell phone carrier to another shouldn't take longer than 21/2 hours, while switching a number from your home phone to a wireless carrier could take up to four days. But you probably should expect delays, especially early on.

The FCC also has said companies could charge a "reasonable" fee to transfer customer numbers to other carriers. Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest mobile phone carrier, has said it wouldn't charge a switching fee, but other big carriers haven't announced their plans, Keiter said. If you're faced with a switching fee, ask your new company to pick it up, he said.

"As competition heats up, you may see the new carrier willing to pay it for you," he said.

Changing companies also means you'll probably need a new phone because they're generally incompatible between carriers. And that means you'll also have to set up your address book again.

You won't necessarily have to pay for a new phone, however. Many plans include free basic phones or hefty discounts on top-of-the line models.

If you see a good deal but don't want to change carriers, ask your company to match it.

You also might be able to cut your own deal, say for a fancier phone, such as a camera phone, or a bigger cash credit. The longer you've been with a company and the bigger your phone bills, the more leverage you'll have.

"Ask for the moon and see what you get," Keiter said.

"It's kind of open season."