For as long as I remember, you always had to pay to keep your number unlisted and I'm talking I'm thinking back to the 80's. I didn't WANT to spend the money when I got my own phone in 1991 so I had my number listed. (It was like $2)

FYI: Unlisted doesn't always mean UNLISTED. Check www.cidlookup.com for your number. I currently use Optimum Voice on Long Island. Those numbers by default are UNLISTED and, yup, you guessed it, my NAME is listed on this website. You do have the option to remove it however. I found A LOT of "unlisted" phone numbers (AND CELL PHONE NUMBERS). Great site for "internet sleuthing" but not if you want your number totally "unlisted".