The Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, currently using NPA 709 will have a new area code starting in November, 2018. The new area code 879 will overlay the existing NPA 709, covering communities such as Corner Brook, Gander, Grand Falls, Happy Valley – Goose Bay, Labrador City – Wabush, Marystown or St. John’s. All local calls originating within the new overlay will eventually be dialed using 10 digits (area code + local number).

Key dates

• August 17, 2018 – permissive 7/10 digit dialing begins (some local calls within NPA 709 dialed using 7 digits will first be connected to an announcement notifying callers about the new 10 digit dialing requirement)
• November 10, 2018 – mandatory 10 digit dialing is introduced (again, depending on each carrier’s decision whether to play an announcement or not, some local calls within the area will be connected to a network announcement notifying callers that their call can not be completed as dialed and that they must hang up and dial the area code followed by the 7 digit local number
• November 24, 2018 – new area code 879 enters service

See official CNA/NANPA announcement and map of the new overlay complex (PDF document)
Update #1
Area code 879 will no longer enter service on November 24, 2018. The new date will be announced when decided upon.
See official announcement (PDF document)

Update #2
The new implementation dates for area code 879 are as follows:

• February 11, 2022 – permissive 7/10 digit dialing begins
• May 6, 2022 – mandatory 10 digit dialing begins
• May 20, 2022 – area code 879 enters service

See revised NANPA announcement (PDF document)

Update #3
A new planning letter PL-557, dated January 20, 2021 announces the indefinite postponement of NPA 879 ‘s activation.

See planning letter 557 for more information (PDF document)