[NTLUG:Discuss] Re: off topic

[Minh Duong]

Bug Hunter wrote:
  >> where can I find local area calling maps for
texas phone numbers?
  >> I roam with my laptop.  I've tried google,
swbell, altavista,
  >> hotbots, dogpile.  The information isn't even in
phone books
  >> anymore....
  >> 
  >> bug

Have you tried:
http://www.puc.state.tx.us/telecomm/areacodes/index.cfm

It lists the general area codes for each area, but for
toll free calling within each area, that is a bit more
difficult to come by.  Some areas like Dallas clearly
show the term (overlay) which means all three codes
are dispersed in that area.

It used to be certain area codes were allocated with
certain geographic areas.  Cities had fixed areas
codes and districts within those areas had fixed
exchange numbers (the first 3 digits).  You could open
a phone book to see the break down.  Some exchange
numbers were destined to be local only requiring long
distance to call another city even in the same area
code.  To some extent that is still true in some
cities.

But with the explosion of cell phones and pagers in
the late 90's, more cities had to add a second and
possibly a third area code.  At first they tried to
segregate the area codes by geography, but the demand
for new numbers was not going to even or easily
predictable especially with mobile numbers.  So areas
like Dallas and Houston have overlay numbers which
means that all area codes are not directly tied to a
geographic area.  They still use the exchange numbers
to determine if the phone number is local or "metro."

But I'm babbling.  Hope some of that helped.

Minh

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