Hi all, I'm not sure if this model has been mentioned in a RIPE meeting or via the list, but here in the UK, Ofcom (http://www.ofcom.org.uk/ telco regulator) allocates telephone numbers to communication providers. These are free and can be thought of kind of like IPv4. For the bigger cities you get 10k blocks, for the smaller cities you get a 1k block (think like a /22). Now there are 20+ cities that are running out of telephone numbers so in order to get more you have to present a business case, customer purchase order and also show your utilisation figures.
For these 20+ cities you also get charged £0.40 per number per year for any you hold. If you port them to a new company or the customer moves to another provider, this comes down to £0.20. It is a weird system but does slow down the usage and forces others not using to return them. It doesn't solve the long term problem of them running out, but that is being solved by requiring the full area code being dialled not just the local part (will explain offlist if anyone is interested). I know big network operators would just pay a cost, but does any of above seem relevant to getting things returned to the pot? I know it doesn't solve them running out and similar things have been discussed, but I thought I'd mention it in case it stimulates any ideas. Thanks, Gavin.
