This is stupid. 
I have said this before, and I will say it again.  There is a whole 539 exchange on the 416 area code.
It was originally used as the TTC Timeline schedule.
TTC closed that whole service down.
A few of those numbers went to fax machines
BUT 
There are still DOZENS of possible 416 phone numbers available on the 539 exchange before even considering 647...yet we need all these area codes???  

As a solid example, the number on this pole isn't even in service. 
(it could have gone to a fax machine or something...)



GIVE OUT 416-539-(4 available digits)  FIRST before even considering a 647 number. 




 

Last edited by Radiowiz (October 16, 2024 2:49 pm)

Radiowiz wrote:

GIVE OUT 416-539-(4 available digits)  FIRST before even considering a 647 number.

That would provide a paltry maximum of 10,000 new numbers (0000-9999). I'm thinking they want/need many more.

Radiowiz wrote:

mace wrote:

I am glad that both my cell and land line [yes I still have one] are both 416ers.

I use my landline to call my Smart Phone when I can't find it. 
 

That is one of the reasons why I keep my landline.

Binson Echorec wrote:

Tangentially, I recall reading an article about when the telephone was invented, and 8-digit phone numbers were being considered. Whomever was in charge decided that there was no way the human brain would be able to memorize a slew of 8-digit numbers, so they dropped it to seven.

The article then went on to claim that if they had stuck with the 8-digit model, they'd still have numbers to distribute, severely delaying the need for area codes.

You left out the part about how very old numbers used to include letters to help make a business (or resident) number very easy to remember.   

8 digits would have worked under a number/letter system. 
The first thing that comes to mind is a taxi, 4444-Taxi...

Last edited by Radiowiz (October 16, 2024 4:59 pm)

Binson Echorec wrote:

I have a feeling this only agitates a particular demographic.

Since the advent of mobile phones, area codes are way less of an issue. I now key somebody's number in and hit "Save"; no need to memorize numbers anymore.

Tangentially, I recall reading an article about when the telephone was invented, and 8-digit phone numbers were being considered. Whomever was in charge decided that there was no way the human brain would be able to memorize a slew of 8-digit numbers, so they dropped it to seven.

The article then went on to claim that if they had stuck with the 8-digit model, they'd still have numbers to distribute, severely delaying the need for area codes.

Also largely gone are the days of changing your number when you move cities. I have co-workers with 613, 780, 604, etc. It really doesn't matter.

turkeytop wrote:

I read somewhere, that in NYC, certain area codes are considered more prestigious than others. It even affects property values. Two similar homes in the same neighbourhood could have different area codes and one will be valued higher than the other, because of the area code.

Perhaps if you have one of the original 212 codes?

turkeytop wrote:

mace wrote:

Perhaps if you have one of the original 212 codes?

But why would they care?
 

Actually, I'm not sure about NY, but
here in Toronto, a 416 number with the right spelling in the last 4 digits
can now be SOLD to a business for a large amount of money for TWO reasons. 
1) If it spells out relation to a specific business,
OR
2) If a business simply wants to appear as if they have been around for a LONG time in Toronto. 

(That second one in general fair reason might have high value, regardless of what the last 4 digits spell out...)

As mentioned I moved from Collingwood to Chelmsford Ontario, keeping my Collingwood phone number on my cell. I have run into the situation several times where a business said as my number was long distance, they can only email me. 

I recall that prior to 1992, we in the 905 were also part of the 416.  I remember a voice tag by Ron Yantho (Michaels) at CHNR in Simcoe, Ontario stating "416" before a number, so that's fairly recent in the whole scheme of things.

We've come a long way from the days of party lines. Not really radio related, but I found it interesting. 

The history behind Canada's area codes

The few times I've posted a story like this, I'm constantly surprised by how much attention it gets here. Two reporters at the Toronto Star had the same question. The answers they came up with are pretty interesting. 

And who knew there was an actual business in selling unused 416 area codes?

Toronto is getting a new area code. In a world without dialing, why do we care so much?