Make the zip code (AKA Pin code in some countries) part of phone numbers.
e.g. A phone number in Zip code 75030 would be
75030-1234-- VJW, Feb 18 2011 So for a part of London, it might be WC1V-5555.
If you're going to start putting letters in phone numbers, you may as well just use DNS.-- idris83, Feb 18 2011 US Zip+4 already exists as a location indicator, but doesn't break down into individual buildings, let alone individual residences. Zip+6 at least would be needed. And this seems especially inappropriate as the vast majority of new phone numbers don't have a fixed geographical location at this point.-- MechE, Feb 18 2011 I think this will work only for fixed landlines. Zip + 6 seems ok. For London, this may not work.-- VJW, Feb 18 2011 Telephone numbers were developed because it was all that the original PSTN technology could cope with.
Geographically-tied references like telephone numbers, and indeed numeric routing codes for "top level" directories are on their way out so this is a dead issue. Yes, IP addresses and IMEI/IMSI type codes will remain at a system level; but punching in a 12-digit number when you want to communicate is fading into history.-- 8th of 7, Feb 18 2011 Indeed, [8th], the notion of using numbers to direct communication to an individual is ludicrous.-- spidermother, Feb 18 2011 Do wha? Surely if you don't use an area code, it just gives you the local number?-- MaxwellBuchanan, Feb 18 2011 Nope. It just tells you that the call cannot be placed as dialed, please check the number and try again.-- normzone, Feb 18 2011 That's annoying. In the UK, a 6-digit number is usually enough to connect you locally (used to be 3 digits in my village).
EDIT: When I say "my village", I mean "the village I live in" not "the village I own". The village I own uses a 2-digit local number ("Hello? Glenchie Bottom two-seven?").-- MaxwellBuchanan, Feb 18 2011 It wasn't all that long ago when my town's exchange had to start using 7 digits instead of 4. That was just... (thinks back...) ok, yeah, I guess it's been a while. (It was after I left for college, though.) It was a pre-req for getting 911 service.
But zip codes? My wife and I like having separate phone numbers, and I don't think we'd want to be in separate zip codes.-- lurch, Feb 18 2011 [spidermother] I think you just called [8th_of_7] an individual. Them's fighting words.-- mouseposture, Feb 19 2011 (Puts up puny Earthling fists. Changes mind and valiantly hides in closet.)-- spidermother, Feb 19 2011 <Inflates large paper bag>
<sneaks up to [spidermother]'s closet>
BANG !-- 8th of 7, Feb 19 2011 Are you implying that I can't fight my way out of a paper bag, and need to come out of the closet?-- spidermother, Feb 19 2011 The former, yes. The latter, no. Stay where you are. The scrap wood and old tyres piled against the door are just starting to catch.
"You smell that ? YOU SMELL THAT ?"-- 8th of 7, Feb 19 2011 (Holds [21 Quest's] hand for comfort. Drops it and mumbles something about "that local sporting team".)-- spidermother, Feb 19 2011 So if I ever give someone my phone number I'm now also giving them my address down to a fairly small area? No thanks.-- Germanicus, Feb 19 2011 Yep.
Canada 411 lets you get an exact address from just a phone number, and then google earth street view lets folks see your yard and neighbourhood.-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Feb 19 2011 <Isaac Asimov>
"... and a happy goldfish bowl to you all."
</Isaac Asimov>-- 8th of 7, Feb 19 2011 //and a happy goldfish bowl to you all// yes, but does it move?-- AbsintheWithoutLeave, Feb 19 2011 random, halfbakery