The more densely populated area of Colorado with the city of Denver and its extensive metropolitan area (Aurora, Bolder, Lakewood, Longmont and so on) is the only area in this state using an overlay complex comprising area codes 303 and its overlay code 720 (activated in 1998).
Once again the Colorado Public Utilities Commission is planning the introduction of a relief area code for this same geographic area: the new area code 983 is to overlay 303 and 720 NPAs starting next year in June. Local calls are already being dialed using 10 digits so there will be no other changes in the way calls will be dialed after the new 983 area code’s activation on June 17, 2022.
Approved all the way back in 1999 by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), the new 464 area code will be added as a relief plan for Numbering Plan Area 708 which covers the area south of Chicago including these larger communities: Beecher, Berwyn, Chicago Heights, Cicero, Crest Hill, Crete, Hickory Hills, Oak Park, and so on. All calls in the area will be dialed using 1+10 digits with the activation of the new overlay complex 708/464.
Key dates
April 24, 2021 – permissive 1+10 digit dialing began under the 988 project
October 24, 2021 – mandatory 1+10 digit dialing starts (all calls, local or toll between phone numbers in NPA 708 will be dialed using 1+10 digits)
January 21, 2022 – the new area code 464 enters service
A new area code was agreed upon by the Georgia Public Service Commission in October, 2020 to be added to one of the most complex overlay NPAs in the country: 404/678/470 and 770/678/470. These two NPAs cover the city of Atlanta and its surrounding metro area respectively (some example Atlanta metro area cities: Gainesville, Marietta, Sandy Springs).
The new 943 area code will, like the other two overlay codes 678 and 470, cover this entire area. Dialing arrangements will stay the same following the new area code’s activation.
The new area code’s 943 in service date: March 15, 2022.
The densely populated area surrounding the city of Toronto in southern Ontario, Canada will make use of a brand new area code beginning October 16, 2021. Currently, NPA complex 905/289/365 serves this geographic area, with cities such as Brampton, Hamilton, Missisauga or Niagara Falls.
A fourth area code 742 will therefore be added in October this year to cover the same geographic area served by the 3 aforementioned overlay codes. There will be no changes in the existing dialing plan for NPA 905/289/365: all local and toll calls will continue to be dialed using 10 digits.
In order to meet the technical requirements for the activation by July 16, 2022 of the new 988 National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis hotline, a number of US numbering plan areas currently enjoying 7 digit dialing for local calls and also using 988 as a central office code (the 3 digits we dial after the area code) will have to migrate to 10 digit dialing. There is going to be a permissive dialing period during which people residing in towns and cities affected by this change can get used to the new dialing method.
7 to 10 digit dialing transition schedule
April 24, 2021 – permissive dialing period begins (calls may be dialed using 7 or 10 digits, the latter is encouraged)
October 24, 2021 – 10 digit dialing becomes mandatory
On July 16, 2020 the FCC approved a 3 digit dialing code (988) to be used as the new National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis hotline. The new hotline will be available starting July 16, 2022. Calls to 988 will reach the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline available by calling 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273 -TALK)
In order to be able to activate the new 988 short dialing code, area codes (numbering plan areas) using both 7 digit dialing and 988 as a central office code are required to transition to 10 digit dialing by July 16, 2022.
In September this year The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia approved an all services overlay as the relief method for NPA 202 – the area code serving the US capital city since 1947. The new 771 area code will cover the same area currently served by NPA 202.
Washington DC is one of the largest urban areas in the US whose residents may still dial 7 digits for local calls within their home NPA. This will change with the addition of the new overlay area code.
Key dates
April 10, 2021 – permissive 7/10 digit dialing period begins (calls to telephone numbers within Numbering Plan Area 202 may be dialed using both 7 and 10 digits)
October 9, 2021 – mandatory 10 digit dialing begins
November 9, 2021 – the new area code 771 enters service
Approved in June, 2020 by the Virginia State Corporation Commission, this new area code will serve the western portion of the state of Virginia currently covered by Numbering Plan Area 540. Some of the largest cities and towns using area code 540: Blacksburg, Front Royal, Harrisonburg, Roanoke, Winchester.
The new area code 826 will be activated in 2022, on June 14. Residents in the area will have to start dialing 10 digits for local calls.
Key dates
November 13, 2021 – permissive 7/10 digit dialing period begins for residents served by NPA 540 (local calls may be dialed using both 7 and 10 digits)
May 14, 2022 – mandatory 10 digit dialing begins – all local calls between 540 area code phone numbers must be dialed using 10 digits
In the state of Florida, the city of Tampa with its metropolitan area is currently served by NPA 813 – the area code used mainly by residents of Hillsborough and Pasco counties (Apollo Beach, Oldsmar, Tampa, Temple Terrace or Zephyrhills are some of the cities covered by this Numbering Plan Area). Florida ‘s Public Service Commission recently approved a new overlay area code which will cover the same geographic area served by NPA 813. The new 656 area code is scheduled to enter service next year in November.
Key dates
April 17, 2021 – permissive 7/10 digit dialing period begins for subscribers using 813 prefixed phone numbers (during the permissive period calls to other 813 local numbers may be dialed using both 7 or 10 digits, the latter is encouraged)
October 16, 2021 – mandatory 10 digit dialing begins
The introduction of NPA 656 has been postponed until February 22, 2022. Moreover, the new date when mandatory 10 digit dialing begins is January 22, 2022.
The central part of Pennsylvania with cities such as Altoona, Erie, Punxsutawney or State College, currently within Numbering Plan Area 814, will, starting next year, also be served by area code 582, which was recently announced by the North American Numbering Plan Adminsitrator. The two area codes will comprise a so called overlay complex and will both cover the same geographic area. 10 digit dialing for local calls will be mandatory within the new overlay NPA borders.
Key dates
October 3, 2020 – permissive 7/10 digit dialing period begins (calls within NPA 814 may be dialed using 7 or 10 digits)
April 3, 2021 – 10 digit dialing becomes a requirement