Right, cause phone number portability is up and running for several sets of prefixes in various regions across the world[1], so there's definitely nothing we can learn from them. ;)
Well, we can learn from them that circuit switched networks are different than packet switched networks. Beyond that not much.
I disagree. There are many parallels and in many ways the telephony operators are struggling with the same kinds of problems that we are. NANPA has forecast that the North American number plan will be exhausted within 20 years. Just like the IPv4 address space. Their plan is to extend the number plan by two digits using 4-digit area codes and 4 digit central office codes. Rather like IPv6's extended address length. The new digits will be introduced at the same time so that everyone will dial an extra digit at the end of their existing area code, and another extra digit at the beginning of their central office code. Today you would dial (703)227-0660 to reach ARIN's help desk. After the change you would dial (7030)0227-0660. Full details here: http://www.atis.org/inc/docs/finaldocs/020107029.doc NANPA's website points to more information. http://www.nanpa.com/index.html There is also a North American Numbering Council that meets regularly and has several working groups. http://www.nanc-chair.org/docs/documents.html It is foolish to regard people outside the IP networking industry as inferior. Good ideas can come from anywhere and we can often understand our own area of interest much better by comparing and contrasting with other similar areas of interest. --Michael Dillon