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| Home / Nov/Dec 2009 / FTC News / New area code approved for North Alabama region |
Nov/Dec 2009
The Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC) has announced that residents in the 256 area code will soon be required to dial all ten digits of a telephone number when making local calls. To aid the transition, voluntary compliance took effect on Nov. 7, 2009. Mandatory 10-digit dialing becomes effective June 2010.
The APSC is implementing ten-digit dialing because a new area code — 938 — will soon be added to the 256 calling area. The APSC has projected that all available three-digit prefixes, (the three numbers between the area code and the last four digits of a phone number) in the 256 area code of Alabama will expire in 2011. Ten-digit dialing will be required to distinguish between phone numbers with a 256 area code and phone numbers with a 938 area code.
“The bottom line is that our area is running out of numbers,” says Fred Johnson, general manager of Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative. “As our population has grown and more and more people subscribe to phone service, we are exhausting available numbers for the 256 area. Adding a new area code is simply necessary to meet the growing demand of new phone service in our region.”
Adding a new area code to a calling area based on when the number is assigned instead of the location of the new number is called an “overlay” plan. The new area code will only be assigned to new phone numbers, both wireless and landline.
Chris Townson, FTC Manager of Industry Relations and Government Affairs, says FTC will not need to assign phone numbers with the 938 area code any time in the foreseeable future.
“We have seven prefixes, or exchanges, within the FTC coverage area: 451, 597, 623, 632, 638, 657 and 659,” Townson says. “Each is allotted at least 10,000 phone numbers. Only one of our prefixes is more than 50 percent exhausted. We should not have to assign numbers with a 938 area code to members for a long time to come.”
The other option considered by the APSC was a “geographic split” plan. This would have split the 256 region in half and assigned area codes based on location, forcing many subscribers to change their phone numbers.
“After thorough research and cost benefit analysis,” Townson explains, “the APSC determined that the overlay plan was the most cost-effective option available. It may cause a little confusion, but this plan will eliminate unnecessary financial burden being placed not only on our members, but all consumers throughout the 256 area.”
Calling areas and rates will not be affected by the new area code. Calls that were considered local before the introduction of the new area code will remain local calls. Calls that were considered long distance will remain long distance calls.
“The commission chose the “overlay” plan with the consumer in mind,” Johnson says. “And the good news is, existing phone numbers will not have to change from 256 to 938. “
This is not only more convenient, but also ensures that individuals and business owners will not be forced to pay to have their numbers changed on signs, letterhead or other communications. This option is potentially saving the region millions of dollars on advertising and printing costs.
“The only difference we will see with the arrival of the new 938 area code is that consumers will have to include the area code when making all calls, both local and long distance,” Johnson adds. “This will be an adjustment but it is certainly better than having to change your phone number.”
New area code approved for North Alabama region
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The Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC) has announced that residents in the 256 area code will soon be required to dial all ten digits of a telephone number when making local calls. To aid the transition, voluntary compliance took effect on Nov. 7, 2009. Mandatory 10-digit dialing becomes effective June 2010.
The APSC is implementing ten-digit dialing because a new area code — 938 — will soon be added to the 256 calling area. The APSC has projected that all available three-digit prefixes, (the three numbers between the area code and the last four digits of a phone number) in the 256 area code of Alabama will expire in 2011. Ten-digit dialing will be required to distinguish between phone numbers with a 256 area code and phone numbers with a 938 area code.
“The bottom line is that our area is running out of numbers,” says Fred Johnson, general manager of Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative. “As our population has grown and more and more people subscribe to phone service, we are exhausting available numbers for the 256 area. Adding a new area code is simply necessary to meet the growing demand of new phone service in our region.”
Adding a new area code to a calling area based on when the number is assigned instead of the location of the new number is called an “overlay” plan. The new area code will only be assigned to new phone numbers, both wireless and landline.
Chris Townson, FTC Manager of Industry Relations and Government Affairs, says FTC will not need to assign phone numbers with the 938 area code any time in the foreseeable future.
“We have seven prefixes, or exchanges, within the FTC coverage area: 451, 597, 623, 632, 638, 657 and 659,” Townson says. “Each is allotted at least 10,000 phone numbers. Only one of our prefixes is more than 50 percent exhausted. We should not have to assign numbers with a 938 area code to members for a long time to come.”
The other option considered by the APSC was a “geographic split” plan. This would have split the 256 region in half and assigned area codes based on location, forcing many subscribers to change their phone numbers.
“After thorough research and cost benefit analysis,” Townson explains, “the APSC determined that the overlay plan was the most cost-effective option available. It may cause a little confusion, but this plan will eliminate unnecessary financial burden being placed not only on our members, but all consumers throughout the 256 area.”
Calling areas and rates will not be affected by the new area code. Calls that were considered local before the introduction of the new area code will remain local calls. Calls that were considered long distance will remain long distance calls.
“The commission chose the “overlay” plan with the consumer in mind,” Johnson says. “And the good news is, existing phone numbers will not have to change from 256 to 938. “
This is not only more convenient, but also ensures that individuals and business owners will not be forced to pay to have their numbers changed on signs, letterhead or other communications. This option is potentially saving the region millions of dollars on advertising and printing costs.
“The only difference we will see with the arrival of the new 938 area code is that consumers will have to include the area code when making all calls, both local and long distance,” Johnson adds. “This will be an adjustment but it is certainly better than having to change your phone number.”
