It is possible to do , it just isn’t policy to do it , even though it was once a physical limitation, and that limitation no longer exists, the linked numbering scheme is still deemed to be of value , even if someone moving home would prefer to take a number across exchange boundaries,.
From the consumer point of view, when considering a business , it’s may helpful for a consumer to know from the phone number if it’s a local business, and the police and other ‘emergency’ services , knowing a landline phone number will indicate the area that number is located in , is desirable.
