Posted on 08/17/2004 10:25:08 AM PDT by Willie Green
Remember the 878 area code?
Peek in a local telephone book and you'll find a customer guide that lists the code as serving Jeannette, Connellsville, Blairsville and other towns in Westmoreland, Fayette and Indiana counties.
But do you know anyone with a 878 number? So, what's the 411?
Three years ago, amid estimates that all the available numbers within the 724 and 412 area codes soon would be gobbled up, the state introduced 10-digit dialing for calls within the region to southwestern Pennsylvania residents and businesses. Starting in July 2001, those wanting to make a local call were required to peck the area code before dialing the seven-digit number.
Telephone companies and the state Public Utility Commission justified the switch to 10-digit dialing by introducing a new area code, 878, that would serve as an "overlay" to the service spots covered by 724 and 412. The fear -- and prediction -- was that the numerical combinations offered by the two area codes would be exhausted in 2001 or 2002 because of the demand for second telephone lines, cell phones, faxes and pagers.
~~~~SNIP~~~~
So what happened? Those in the telecommunications industry credit conservation efforts and a stagnant economy for helping to delay the arrival of 878 numbers....
(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburghlive.com ...
"What's-With-This-724-Sh*t" Ping.
It all started when John Kerry announced his candidacy in Pittsburgh...
I used to have five phone lines. The moment I got a cable modem, I cut back to two. Now I just have one. Those numbers were released back into circulation.
This story is repeating itself all over the country. All those modem and fax lines are being disconnected pretty quickly these days, thanks to cable modems.
The original expectations for the increased utilization of telephone numbers was based on the rapid growth of cell phones. But what they didn't realize was that the use of fax machines would decline at the same time. Also, the growth of T1, DSL and cable for internet access has resulted in a decline in dial-up internet service.
They have transferrable phone numbers for cell phones too.
We too have to dial a 10 digit number to get your neighbor.
Its pretty ridiculous.
The same thing happened in Atlanta. We got a fourth area code (470), which has never been used because people en masse are giving up extra phone lines and going to DSL or cable modem services for the internet. Some are even giving up their land line alltogether in favor of only a cell phone.
I wanna go back to my old phone number, HOoterville-3785. Better yet, hire Sarah back to run the place.
Yeah, I suppose we're gonna have to classify this one as "good news".
For a while, it looked like we were going to run out of numbers,
despite the mathematical theory that says the supply is infinite.
Here in OH it's the same way. Quite annoying.
That's what we did.
With the exception of a few personal calls from family, I almost never use my telephone any more. I keep a cell phone, but it's never on and nobody knows the number. I take it in my car, just so I can call AAA in case of a breakdown. That's the only time I use it, and that's darned rare.
The telephone is an antiquated device. Yesterday, I ordered a pizza on the web. The same place I ordered one a week ago by phone took half the time to deliver the pizza I ordered on the web. I don't know why that is, but there it is.
If I could get rid of the phone altogether, I'd be very happy, but...there are still times when you must call.
Yeah, we are landlineless, having cable internet and cell phones.
That explains why they're in 95% of homes and 80% of people are walking around with one in their pocket.
"I used to have five phone lines. The moment I got a cable modem, I cut back to two. "
I also cut two out of four lines in the last few years, and will soon cut a third, when I kill my now outdated ISDN line. Oh, now that I think, it uses two phone numbers, so I will delete two more.
That's what we did.
Us too - 3 years now and haven't missed it.
me either. I love it. And you can really get some good deals with minutes, family calling plans, etc
"The telephone is an antiquated device.
That explains why they're in 95% of homes and 80% of people are walking around with one in their pocket."
For the record I was about to dump line 2 when I got DSL but then my daughter turned 14 and suddenly I realized she needed the line.
This would not have happened if my cells would reliably work at my house but I apparently am in a dead zone which stops at the end of my driveway. LOL
Next time I buy a house I will make d@mn sure the cell phones work there.
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