On 23 Nov, 00:36, Mizter T wrote:
I wonder whether the earlier projections for a squeeze on available
numbers aren't a bit out now. I'd think there's far less demand for
second residential lines nowadays, as people don't want dedicated
lines for fax machines or dial-up internet access. Of course, business
still likes direct-dial numbers which certainly has driven demand for
new numbers in certain locations. But I wonder if the real demand in
the future will be for mobile 07 prefixed numbers. That said, well
over half the population has a mobile now and there doesn't appear to
be any problems with 07 number shortages.

Landlines are only an issue because the numbers after "01" and "02"
mean something, which means you can't (e.g.) fill the demand for new
numbers in London by using the spare capacity in the 01620 range (I'm
guessing there are rather fewer than a million landlines in North
Berwick...).

Since mobile codes signify nothing of any use ["the operator that you
signed up with eight years ago, before porting your number twice to
get whizzy new phones" is not IMO information that's of any use], the
same problems don't arise.

There are a billion unique numbers with the 07 prefix. Even if you
take out the 070 range (used for personal numbers IIRC), that means
everyone in the UK can have around 15 mobile devices each.

--
John Band
john at johnband dot org
www.johnband.org