Why do we have to dial ten digits for our phone numbers instead of seven?

Why are we forced to dial the area codes now?Why do we have to dial ten digits for our phone numbers instead of seven?
recent laws that govern telephone companies forced this regulation... it is for areas served by more then 1 area code.. I have to dial 10 digits when calling within my area code... but when calling outside my area code i have to dial 1 + the 10 digit number...





places like NYC which are covered by 212 (manhattan) 718 (brooklyn, queens, staten island, the bronx) 646 (cellular) 347 (manhattan, cellular, voip) 917 (cellular)





it is supposed to simplify if your number is (123) 456-7890 and someone within the same local calling area, mabey down the block or around the corner has the number of (987) 654-3210 just because they are close and in the same local calling area it would be assumed they were both the same area code, while they are not..





ALSO it made the requirement because with the differing technologies, and the way they all handle calls, they wanted it to be uniform, so weather you call with POTS, VoIP, or Cellular, you dial the same number..Why do we have to dial ten digits for our phone numbers instead of seven?
When phone #'s start becoming scarce, they have to add more digits to allow for more numbers within certain geographic areas. In the near future, we will be dialing 12 digits.
I believe it depends on where you live, and how many people are nearby....I've lived in some places where you didn't have to dial your area code, but I've noticed in bigger cities that you do need to.
i am not forced...but then again, i live in wyoming...theres not that many people to talk too...we probably just need a five digit number to suffice!
Because of all them cell phones out there!!!! There have been a lot of area codes add since 1995
Probably because your area ran out of local exchange numbers. If they used all the exchanges that weren't already area codes, they need you to dial your area code first to make sure you are dialing an exchange and not an area code.