I have noticed that more numbers are available now than there were a year or two ago. I think as people move to just using their cell phones, traditional numbers have been freed up from the POTS system.  Additionally it is possible they have opened up new banks of numbers for use.  I think the forwarding is more situation specific. Say you have a client you need to be in touch with but you don't want them to have your personal number...  There are some thing it is nice to keep separate.