09-14-2004, 08:00 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,186
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Are Area Codes Still Relevant?
"Do area codes really matter any more? These days, I've gotten used to plenty of people I know having mobile phone numbers from some distant place where they used to live, rather than where they live now. With so many plans no longer having any real marginal costs for long distance calls, it hasn't much mattered, other than as a status symbol. The same is starting to come true in the VoIP world, as well, as people are even purposely ordering VoIP phone numbers from locations that don't represent where they live. It almost seems like the only purpose for area codes these days is for status symbol purchases (note, for example, the distress of many when they discovered you couldn't get Manhattan's high-rent 212 as a mobile number but had to settle for something hideous like 917)."
According to the article, several countries have already assigned area codes for "non-geographic" numbers, including the UK and Japan. With people becoming more mobile, cell phones more numerous than cockroaches, and VoIP on the horizon, is it time to stop messing around with area codes?
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09-14-2004, 08:25 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 368
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Yeah, I prefer 212 to 917 or 646. 212 is hard to get these days, and I was surprised when I activated my T-Mobile prepaid plan, they let me choose 212 area code. 
Area code is still relevant though as long as telco charges higher rates for long distance calls from landline. (Does it really cost more to connect long distance calls or are they charging more just because they can?) I recently moved, and added a virtual number to my Vonage phone so that my friends can call me at local rate.
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09-14-2004, 08:31 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 69
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Huh?
Ridiculous Topic of the Day check: An area code as a "status symbol"? How stupid is that? And who on earth attempts to get a specific area code? Who CARES what someone's area code is? It was never important to begin with, other than the fact that you couldn't dial a long distance number without knowing what it was. Good grief, now people throw money into cell phones and whine because they got an area code with koodies? Sheesh, how unbelievable superficial our society has become.
I'm happier every day that I've never gotten a cellphone. They cost too much money, for too little coverage, too much maintenance, and too much insanity attached to owning one. When will this world finally implode under the weight of all this?
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09-14-2004, 08:48 PM
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Executive Editor, Android Thoughts
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,233
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Although it didn't matter, it was kinda cool when T-Mobile let me choose the last 4 digits of my phone number back in dec. 2002. I don't think they do that anymore. I chose 9111 - because people constantly call me when they're in trouble - technology wise or not!
Anyone else get to choose their digits at all?
__________________
Dr. Jon Westfall, MCSE, MS-MVP
Executive Editor - Android Thoughts
News Editor - Windows Phone Thoughts
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09-14-2004, 08:53 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
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I live in Dallas, so I see area codes all the time: a few years ago ('96, I believe), we switched from 7-digit dialing to 10-digit dialing standard. So now instead of dialing 889-9890 to dial Blockbuster, I have to dial 972-889-98980, even though they're a block away. We've got 972, 469, and 214 as standard area codes, regardless of where the phone line is located. When 469 was introduced, it was mainly for mobile phones, and they asked what number you wanted (I got a special number from T-Mobile a few years ago). When I switched to Cingular/SBC recently, they didn't even ASK if I wanted a number of any sort. I'm not sure if they still let you choose at all, but I imagine if you asked, they'd work with you.
Speaking of which, how many of you dial 7-digits for local calls, and how many of you have to dial all 10-digits like me?
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09-14-2004, 08:53 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 85
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Area codes are only relevent for the 2 minutes it takes to enter into my dialing directory :lol: . Some people just have way too much to worry about :roll:
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09-14-2004, 09:00 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 96
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Seven digit dialing for us (Rhode Island), though we're probably one of the few states that pays long distance fees for calling certain areas within the same area code :roll: (the entire state is 401).
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09-14-2004, 09:05 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by CrashX
Seven digit dialing for us (Rhode Island), though we're probably one of the few states that pays long distance fees for calling certain areas within the same area code :roll: (the entire state is 401).
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No, it just depends on how large the area code is. In everywhere else I've lived, the area code sometimes stretched over a hundred miles, and the far reaches were often long distance. Area codes haven't meant that calls were guaranteed local anytime that I can remember.
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09-14-2004, 09:12 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 18
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Re: Huh?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by RobertCF
Ridiculous Topic of the Day check: An area code as a "status symbol"? How stupid is that? And who on earth attempts to get a specific area code? Who CARES what someone's area code is? It was never important to begin with, other than the fact that you couldn't dial a long distance number without knowing what it was. Good grief, now people throw money into cell phones and whine because they got an area code with koodies? Sheesh, how unbelievable superficial our society has become.
I'm happier every day that I've never gotten a cellphone. They cost too much money, for too little coverage, too much maintenance, and too much insanity attached to owning one. When will this world finally implode under the weight of all this?
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it's not stupid..... I've known people who don't stay in NY or bay area but have billing address from there to get a phone number from these areas...
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09-14-2004, 09:15 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,911
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I like area codes. It lets me know if the person is in dtste or not. If it's 907, it's Alaska.
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