Weakness in Numbers

摘要

The FCC just okayed a plan to conserve phone numbers by allocating them in blocks of 1,000. Here's why that Band-Aid alone won't help. Communications systems need numbers like fish need water: When it's plentiful, the need can be ignored. However, if the pool dries up, service providers can be left gasping. Today, most numbering resources that wireless providers need are dangerously low. But at least they won't be lonely as they flop around looking for a solution: Wireline and Internet providers have similar problems.