Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!lll-winken!telecom-request From: jhagen@TALOS.UUCP (Jarom Hagen) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: UK Deregulation - Big News Message-ID: Date: 24 Mar 91 17:15:56 GMT Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Organization: NPRI, Alexandria VA Lines: 32 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 235, Message 1 of 10 tharr!steveh@relay.eu.net (Steve Hamley) writes: > In article , johns@scroff.uk (John > Slater) writes: >>> On a different note: what exactly are "lifetime telephone numbers"? > As for the technical feasibility, both the BT and Mercury digital > networks are already capable of assigning a logical telephone number > or block of numbers to any physical location. The lumbering giants > will no doubt take years to decide on the marketing and how much to > charge though. In Brazil they offer "lifetime telephone numbers" exclusively. In other words you pay the phone company for your "number". This probably has to do with the fact that most homes don't have telephones (still a luxury item in Brazil), so even the wiring to your house may have to be done for the first time. However, in Brazil you may not be able to get a telephone line even if you have the money because "all the numbers in your area have been sold". At least that is what they tell you when they put you on a waiting list until one becomes available. Once you have a telephone line you may also sell it to someone else. Jarom *Not paid for and/or endorsed by National Political Resources Incorporated. 602 Cameron St, Alexandria VA 22314 (UUCP: ...uunet!uupsi!pbs!npri6!jhagen)