Who assigned the numbers? The US? Interesting...I didn't realize that we "allowed" other nations their pick after "we assigned" 1 to the US. Who put in, and probably funded, the first transatlantic trunk cable lines? Who first put in the satellite infrastructure for the wireless system? Good ol' #1 I imagine. Does this numbering system mean Spain is #34 in the "rankings"? C'mon...ease off Uncle Sam.