Telephone technology complicates people searching

www.earthlink.net is rolling out a new VOiP service that allows DSL subscribers a portable area code, with their telephone number. Another technology that may shift the landscape of linking people with a geographic region. This is how Earthlink describes their service:

Let's say that you live in New York and your Unlimited Voice primary number is in area code 718. Your mom lives in Florida. Her area code is 561. You could get a secondary virtual phone number in area code 561 that rings to your 718 line. Then mom doesn't have to pay long distance charges when she calls you.