[jngreenlee]

I think they get an exit virtual POP in that AC to avoid extra charges, start at XXX-0001, XXX-0002, etc. It lowers cost and looks more relevant.

[JdeBP]

* It's not really a POP.

* The fact that many geographic numbers are in fact non-geographic means that the idea of being "in" an area has long since gone out of the window.

* It's not done to avoid extra charges. Call cost is determined by routing and tarrif, not caller ID. It's done pretty much for the reason that bonobo_34 supposed.