1.   Consumer advocates have also pointed to the consolidation of rate centers as one method of conserving phone numbers and making area codes last longer.

2.   In the meantime, regulators have already taken a number of measures to conserve telephone numbers and extend the life of existing area codes in California.

3.   This is a way to conserve numbers now in case number pooling proves successful in its Illinois trial.

4.   Thomas DeSisto, executive director for regulatory planning at Bell Atlantic, said all measures to conserve phone numbers should be pursued.

5.   Since May, the commission has granted ten states temporary authority to implement measures to conserve phone numbers.

6.   Ten states, operating under commission authority, already are using some new approaches to conserve numbers.