Amen. The PSTN has been digital for decades (with statistical multiplexing, aggregation and compression). Too me, the most infuriating aspect of the article is that VoIP makes all these features (3WC, CLID, CFW) easier. The reality is that seperation of signaling from bearer is the most profound enabler to these new features.

Hey VoIP guys, where are my purple minutes!

I would say that separation of signaling from bearer has been achieved by ISDN or ADSI of yore. Th real differentiator is the fact the two ends can signal directly to each other with out the need for any intermediary.