Keith Alexander’s “Business Class” column in the Washington Post yesterday covered bonus mile offers for cell phone plans. Customers will find it easier to switch carriers now that they can keep their existing phone numbers.

My own expectation is that initial lucrative rebates and signup offers will become a bit less generous, because with greater potential for switching carriers down the road the lifetime value of a customer for a cell provider will be lower. However, there will be switching incentives and new incentives for re-upping on contracts. Previously bonus offers were generally only good for “new” customers. Now any customer not under contract ought to be seen as a “new” customer.

For a good summary of current mileage offers, check out the “telephone” section of Gary Steiger’s Free Frequent Flyer Miles page.