Another Reason Verizon is Suck!

[Doggiedog]

Supposedly, Verizon just added a new area code this weekend for New Jersey. But instead of making it easy on us NJ people, they decided to force us all dial an area code, even if the number is within your area code.

This completely fvcked up my friend's apt intercom system because it uses the telephone system to dial to apartments in his complex. They aren't designed to dial an area code so they won't work until they install a new system in.

 

[GQUnknown]

Verizon sucks, cuz they hire idiots.

 

[KnightWhoSezNee]

That happened in L.A. in the 310 area. People got so pissed that they switched the system back. Sooner or later, though, this will happen in all major cities. We're running out of numbers with all the cell phones people are getting.

 

[pulse8]

It's like that in Miami, too.

Get used to it.

 

[BigSmooth]

Same goes for the DC area. Gotta dial all 10 digits.

 

[bgruver]

Verizon changed our system too - southeast PA. We've had to dial area codes for the past 2 years. It's not bad once you get used to it. It does suck though when systems like you described no longer work!

 

[pmark]

It is like that in Boston too. Not that big of a deal as most cell phones have different area codes anyway.

 

[reitz]

<< We're running out of numbers with all the cell phones people are getting. >>

It's not all the cell phones people are getting, it's the way the phone company chooses to assign the numbers (and the fact that lawmakers so far have done nothing about it).

Southwest PA split the 412 area code a few years ago, and in July added an area code overlay which forces us to dial all ten digits for every call. If you do that math, that should allow up to 30,000,000 possible phone numbers (realistically, some numbers are reserved and can't be used, the actual number is closer to 15 or 20 million) in an area with less than 5 million people.

The phone company, though, will only allot them in 10,000 number blocks. For example, if a new pager company requires 1000 numbers, they must purchase a block of 10,000, so nine thousand will go unused. It's a huge money maker for the telcos: Why sell someone (and charge them for) exactly what they need, when you can force them to pay for 4 or 5 times as many numbers?

Doggiedog,

I hate Verizon for a littany of reasons, but you gotta be fair. I highly doubt that this was a surprise change over the weekend. Your friend's apartment complex should have had over a year's warning to examine and update their intercom system. If it's not working, he should be blaming the management company, not Verizon.

 

[Doggiedog]

I still don't understand why these RBOCs don't institute a system like they use in Japan for congested areas. In Japan, in urban areas instead of your regular 7 digit number they use an 8 digit number. It seems so much simpler to do it that way than to make everyone use a 10 digit number.