The seven regional US Bell operating companies have said they will relinquish control over the allocation of US phone numbers, including area codes, five digit long-distance carrier identification codes, some local numbers and codes for toll-free and 900-prefix information services: Bell Communications Research Inc, the Baby Bells’ research arm, will phase out its work over the next 12 to months to give the industry time to find a replacement, moving in response to complaints that Bellcore might discriminate in favour of its owners.
