Many people never change phone numbers. I've had the same cell phone number since I was a teenager, and I suspect I will have it until I die.
It's the most identifiable thing about me other than my social security number. Even my driver's license number has changed more than my cell phone, and I don't always have a valid passport.
I can’t imagine telling everyone I know that I’m changing my number every couple years, and I’m not even calling/messaging a lot of people nowadays. I have a family member who did something similar(not on purpose) and I still have 3 of her numbers and still get confused which is the working one.
I have had the same number for 10 years. A few months ago I made a conscious effort to remember it since I was getting fed up of referring back to my contacts list on a daily basis.
I've had the same mobile number for the last fifteen years too. In NZ at least (not sure about other countries) it's trivial to take your number with you when you get a new SIM from any mobile provider. Though this wouldn't work across countries obviously.
It's not just that not everyone has a mobile phone, people who move between different countries change numbers and lose access to their old one. I've been screwed over by this many times. You can't assume someone has the same phone number for their entire life.
My phone number changes every 2-3 years whenever I switch to a new carrier for their acquisition offer. Why would I port my old number when 9/10 people who call me, I don't want to be calling me? And heck, I don't exactly live in poverty, even if my (student and scum landlord) debt is significantly more than my assets.
2. Changed providers before it was easy to port your number so just got a new phone and new number at the same time
3. Moved to an area where there was no coverage so cancelled #2 phone and we consolidated as a household to just my wife's phone
4,5,6+ re-activations on a prepaid line that give me a new number every time. I will activate my old cell when I'm travelling and forward my business line to it but it doesn't make sense to keep it active all the time since I don't get service at my house. I also work from home so a business land line is all I need.
The phone number decision is stupid. I up and jump countries every few years. Each time, I'm switching to a new number. I'm the opposite of homeless, I'm that jet set elite. The idea that you want, need, should or will tie your identity to a phone number where people can always reach you is long outdated.
It's admittedly off topic but if you don't mind me asking, what are the reasons for you to change your number every 1-2 years?
Doesn't that complicate things with past clients, old friends and maybe even with family?
I changed my number 3 years ago but I still keep my old number active because it occasionally gets calls or text from past contacts.
My phone numer has literally never changed (going 20+ years now). Perhaps it's different in the US somehow (e.g people use their work number for private purposes too), but in my experience private numbers tend to remain the same.
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