Glenn wrote:
. > No, the phone company (in their infininte wisdom), has decided that we
. > need to use the area code for ALL local calls.
. > To call my brother (3mi down the road), I must dial 3305382406
. > And for my brother to call me... 3305380023
The phone company in its infinite wisdom must have used an "overlay" system
when they adopted a new area code, instead of a geographic division. With
the overlay system, the person next door to you could have a different area
code, as well as could a new phone line in your house. There was a big
controversy here in Arizona when they needed a new area code and an overlay
system was suggested. Fortunately, it was rejected, although those of us
outside the Phoenix area had to suffer thru the problems of a new area code.
When Phoenix had to adopt two new area codes, the overlay system was
suggested again, and rejected again. Now that the state needs still another
area code, an overlay system was whispered, but a geographic system was
adopted.
Modems, cell phones, faxes, pagers, etc., require a lot of communications
equipment. One of these days, a person is going to be assigned a telephone
number at birth, just like a Social Security number, that will stay with
him/her for life.
Roger Turk
Tucson, Arizona USA
