Will phone numbers become obsolete in a fully IP-based communication world?

[suhashini25]

While the telecommunications world is rapidly moving towards an all-IP (Internet Protocol) based communication infrastructure, phone numbers, as we know them today, are unlikely to become entirely obsolete in the foreseeable future. Instead, their role is transforming, becoming more of a layer within a broader digital identity and communication ecosystem.

Here's why phone numbers will likely persist, even in a fully IP-based world, and how their usage might evolve:

Bridging Legacy and IP Networks:

Even as traditional Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN) are phased out (a process already underway in many countries, including the UK aiming to complete by 2025), phone calls will still exist. These calls will simply be carried over IP networks using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
The ITU-T E.164 Recommendation, which defines the global numbering plan (country codes, area codes, etc.), is deeply ingrained in the global telecommunications system. IP networks are designed to support and route calls based on E.164 numbers, ensuring backward compatibility and seamless communication between traditional and IP-based endpoints. This means your VoIP service still needs to understand and translate standard phone numbers to connect you to a legacy landline or another VoIP user.
Universal Identifier and Familiarity:

Phone numbers are a universally recognized and understood romania phone number list identifier for personal communication. They are easy to remember, dial, and share across diverse demographics, including those with limited digital literacy.
Despite the rise of app-based communication (WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram), phone numbers remain the primary way to initiate direct, person-to-person voice calls and SMS across different platforms and networks. They act as a common denominator that transcends specific apps or service providers.
Many critical services (emergency services, banking, government services, two-factor authentication) are still heavily reliant on phone numbers for initial contact or verification.
Regulatory and Legal Mandates:

Telecommunication regulators worldwide (like the BTRC in Bangladesh) have established national numbering plans and extensive regulations around phone numbers for billing, lawful interception, emergency services routing, and subscriber identification (e.g., biometric SIM registration in Bangladesh). These legal and regulatory frameworks are deeply tied to the concept of a unique, allocated phone number.
Changing these fundamental legal and operational structures would be an enormous undertaking, far more complex than simply migrating network infrastructure.
Identity Layer, Not Just a Destination:

In a fully IP-based world, the phone number might evolve into a versatile digital identity layer. It could become a portable credential that enables access to various services across different apps and platforms, verified through underlying IP infrastructure.
Instead of being just a "destination" for a call, a phone number could function more like a unique user ID that is authenticated and managed by advanced systems (e.g., blockchain-based DIDs, verified credentials), allowing users to control their privacy settings for different types of communication.
Seamless Integration, Less Direct Dialing:

While phone numbers will still exist, end-users might interact with them less directly. AI-powered assistants, smart home devices, and integrated communication platforms could handle the underlying dialing and routing. You might simply say "call mom" or "contact the doctor," and the AI system uses the associated phone number to establish the connection, possibly even masking your primary number for privacy.
In Bangladesh's Context:
Bangladesh's telecom industry is actively undergoing an IP transformation. The BTRC is pushing for network simplification, consolidating licenses, and encouraging IP-based interconnections. However, phone numbers remain central to the NID-based biometric SIM registration, mobile financial services (MFS), and universal service obligations. Given the vast number of mobile subscribers and the reliance on phone numbers for identity and access to digital services (including for the "Smart Bangladesh" vision), phone numbers will continue to be a foundational element, even as their underlying transport shifts entirely to IP. They will persist as the primary publicly routable identifier for voice communication, even if the user experience for initiating and receiving calls becomes more abstract and integrated with other digital identities.