Understanding Area Codes | Verizon Home Phone Support (2024)

To ensure a continuing supply of new telephone numbers, the New York Public Service Commission has approved an all-services area code overlay for the 716 area code region. The 716 area code is in the western portion of New York and includes all or parts of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties, and serves communities such as Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Jamestown, Niagara Falls, Tonawanda and West Seneca. The new 624 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 716 area code.

What is an Area Code Overlay?

An overlay is the addition of another area code (624) to the same geographic region as an existing area code region (716). The overlay does not require you to change your existing area code or phone number, or how you dial your calls. You will continue to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, as you do today, within and between the 716 and new 624 area codes.

Who will be affected and when does the new 624 area code become effective?

Beginning November 16, 2023, customers in the 716 area code overlay region may be assigned a number in the new 624 area code when they request new service or an additional line. Customers receiving a 624 area code will be required to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, just as customers with telephone numbers from the 716 area code do today.

What will you need to do?

Customers in the overlay region should:

• Continue to dial 10 digits for all local calls, including calls within the same area code.
• Continue to identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number, and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, customers, etc.
• Ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 624 area code as a valid area code and continue to store or program telephone numbers as 10-digit numbers. Some examples are: stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors and other similar equipment.
• Check items such as your website, personal and business stationery and printed checks, advertising materials, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
• What is a local call now will remain a local call.
• You will continue to dial 10 digits for local calls within and between the overlay area codes, and 1+10 digits for long distance calls.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, or 811 if those are currently available in your community.

Who may you contact with questions?

For more information, please click the Chat with us button at the bottom right corner of this page to contact one of our representatives, or visit the New York Public Service Commission website at: https://dps.ny.gov/telecommunications.

To ensure a continuing supply of new telephone numbers, the Missouri Public Service Commission has approved an all-services area code overlay for the 816 area code. The 816 area code serves communities such as Adrian, Belton, Blue Springs, Fillmore, Gladstone, Grandview, Harrisonville, Independence, Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Liberty, Odessa, Plattsburg, Raytown, Richmond and St. Joseph. The new 975 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 816 area code.

What is an Area Code Overlay?

An overlay is the addition of another area code (975) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (816). The overlay does not require you to change your existing area code or phone number, or how you dial your calls. You will continue to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, as you do today, within and between the 816 and new 975 area codes.

Who will be affected and when does the new 975 area code become effective?

Beginning October 13, 2023, customers in the 816 area code overlay region may be assigned a number in the new 975 area code when they request new service or an additional line. Customers receiving a 975 area code will be required to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, just as customers with telephone numbers from the 816 area code do today.

What will you need to do?

Customers in the overlay region should:

• Continue to dial 10 digits for all local calls, including calls within the same area code.
  
• Continue to identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number, and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, customers, etc.
• Ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 975 area code as a valid area code and continue to store or program telephone numbers as 10-digit numbers. Some examples are: stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors, and other similar equipment.
• Check items such as your website, personal and business stationery and printed checks, advertising materials, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
• What is a local call now will remain a local call.
• You will continue to dial 10 digits for local calls within and between the overlay area codes, and 1+10 digits for long distance calls.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, or 811 if those are currently available in your community.

Who may you contact with questions?

For more information, please click the Chat with us button at the bottom right corner of this page to contact one of our representatives, or visit the Public Service Commission website at https://psc.mo.gov/Telecommunications/Telephone_NumbersLocal_Dialing.

To ensure a continuing supply of new telephone numbers, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has approved an all-services area code overlay for the 608 area code. The 608 area code serves the southwestern portion of the state, including the state capitol in Madison, as well as other communities such as Beloit, Janesville, La Crosse, Middleton, Monroe, Platteville, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, and Wisconsin Dells. The new 353 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 608 area code.

What is an Area Code Overlay?
An overlay is the addition of another area code (353) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (608). The overlay does not require you to change your existing area code or phone number, or how you dial your calls. You will continue to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, as you do today, within and between the 608 and new 353 area codes.

Who will be affected and when does the new 353 area code become effective?
Beginning September 15, 2023, customers in the 608 area code overlay region may be assigned a number in the new 353 area code when they request new service or an additional line. Customers receiving a 353 area code will be required to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, just as customers with telephone numbers from the 608 area code do today.

What will you need to do?
Customers in the overlay region should:

• Continue to dial 10 digits for all local calls, including calls within the same area code.
  
• Continue to identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number, and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, customers, etc.
• Ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 353 area code as a valid area code and continue to store or program telephone numbers as 10-digit numbers. Some examples are: stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors, and other similar equipment.
  
• Check items such as your website, personal and business stationery and printed checks, advertising materials, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
• What is a local call now will remain a local call.
• You will continue to dial 10 digits for local calls within and between the overlay area codes, and 1+10 digits for long distance calls.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, or 811 if those are currently available in your community.

Who may you contact with questions?
For more information, please click the Chat with us button at the bottom right corner of this page to contact one of our representatives, or visit the Public Service Commission website at https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/ForConsumers/MoreResources/AreaCodeExhaustion.aspx.

To ensure a continuing supply of new telephone numbers in the Phoenix metro area, the Arizona Corporation Commission has approved the elimination of the area code boundaries between the 480, 602 and 623 area codes, creating a boundary elimination overlay so that all three area codes serve the same geographic region.

What is a boundary elimination overlay?

The boundary elimination overlay for the Phoenix metro area means there will no longer be boundary lines among the 480, 602 and 623 area codes, and the three area codes all will serve the same combined geographic region. The boundary elimination overlay does not require you to change your existing area code or phone number, but will require you to include the area code when dialing all calls, including local calls within the same area code.

Who will be affected?

Anyone with a 480, 602 or 623 area code telephone number will be affected. The 480, 602 and 623 area codes currently serve the Phoenix metro area, which includes but is not limited to the communities of Chandler, Deer Valley, Fort McDowell, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe. Once the boundary elimination overlay is implemented, all three area codes will serve the same combined geographic region.

What will be the new dialing procedure?

The new dialing procedure will require all calls from the 602 and 623 area codes that are currently dialed with seven digits to be dialed using area code + telephone number. Since all calls from the 480 area code already require dialing ten digits, anyone with a 480, 602 or 623 area code will now be required to include the area code when dialing local calls.

When will the change begin?

Effective February 11, 2023, if you have a 602 or 623 area code you should begin dialing the area code + telephone number whenever you place a call. If you forget and dial just seven digits, your call will still be completed.

Beginning August 12, 2023, if you have a 602 or 623 area code you must dial the area code + telephone number on all calls, including calls within the same area code. On and after this date, if you do not dial the area code + telephone number, your calls will not complete and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again, including the area code.

Beginning September 12, 2023, the boundary lines among the 480, 602 and 623 area codes will be removed, and new telephone lines or services in any of the former 480, 602 or 623 geographic regions may be assigned numbers from any of the three area codes.

What will you need to do?

In addition to dialing the area code + telephone number for all local calls, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial a seven-digit number will need to be reprogrammed to include the area code. Some examples are life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates,ankle monitors, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, stored numbers in mobile and cordless phone contact lists, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services and similar functions, etc. You should update your websites, personal and business stationery and checks, advertising materials, personal and pet ID tags and other such items to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including the current area code, will not change.
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the boundary elimination overlay.
• What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• You will continue to dial 1+10 digits for long distance calls.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or and 811.

For more information, please click the Chat with us button at the bottom right corner of this page to contact one of our representatives, or visit the Arizona Corporation Commission website at www.azcc.gov/utilities/telephone/all-about-area-codes.

To ensure a continuing supply of new telephone numbers, the Florida Public Service Commission has approved an additional all-services area code overlay for the existing 305/786 area code overlay region. The 305/786 area code overlay serves Miami-Dade county and a portion of Monroe county, and includes communities such as Miami, Doral, the Florida Keys, Fontainebleau, Hialeah, Homestead, and Kendall. The new 645 area code will serve the same geographic region currently served by the existing 305 and 786 area codes.

What is an area code overlay?

An overlay is the addition of another area code (645) to the same geographic region as existing area codes (305/786). The overlay does not require you to change your existing area code or phone number, or how you dial your calls. You will continue to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, as you do today, within and between the 305, 786 and 645 area codes.

Who will be affected and when does the new 645 area code become effective?

Beginning August 4, 2023, customers in the 305/786 area code overlay region may be assigned a number in the new 645 area code when they request new service or an additional line. Customers receiving a 645 area code will be required to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, just as customers with telephone numbers from the 305 and 786 area codes do today.

What will you need to do?

Customers in the overlay region should:

• Continue to dial 10 digits for all local calls, including calls within the same area code.
• Continue to identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number, and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, customers, etc.
• Ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 645 area code as a valid area code and continue to store or program telephone numbers as 10-digit numbers. Some examples are: stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless and cordless phones, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors, and other similar equipment.
• Check items such as your website, personal and business stationery and printed checks, advertising materials, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
• What is a local call now will remain a local call.
• You will continue to dial 10 digits for local calls within and between the overlay area codes, and 1+10 digits for long distance calls.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 if available in your community.

Who may you contact with questions?

For more information, please click the Chat with us button at the bottom right corner of this page to contact one of our representatives, or visit the Florida Public Service Commission at: www.floridapsc.com/area-code-summaries.

To ensure a continuing supply of new telephone numbers, the Illinois Commerce Commission has approved an all-services area code overlay for the 618 area code. The 618 area code serves southern Illinois, including the larger cities of Alton, Belleville, Carbondale, Collinsville, East St. Louis, Edwardsville, Granite City and O’Fallon, in addition to other smaller communities. The new 730 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 618 area code.

What is an Area Code Overlay?

An overlay is the addition of another area code (730) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (618). The overlay does not require you to change your existing area code or phone number, or how you dial your calls. You will continue to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, as you do today, within and between the 618 and new 730 area codes.

Who will be affected and when does the new 730 area code become effective?

Beginning July 7, 2023, customers in the 618 area code overlay region may be assigned a number in the new 730 area code when they request new service or an additional line. Customers receiving a 730 area code will be required to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, just as customers with telephone numbers from the 618 area code do today.

What will you need to do?

Customers in the overlay region should:

• Continue to dial 10 digits for all local calls, including calls within the same area code.
• Continue to identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number, and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, customers, etc.
• Ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 730 area code as a valid area code and continue to store or program telephone numbers as 10-digit numbers. Some examples are: stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors, and other similar equipment.
• Check items such as your website, personal and business stationery and printed checks, advertising materials, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
• What is a local call now will remain a local call.
• You will continue to dial 10 digits for local calls within and between the overlay area codes, and 1+10 digits for long distance calls.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, or 811 if those are currently available in your community.

Who may you contact with questions?

For more information, please click the Chat with us button at the bottom right corner of this page to contact one of our representatives, or visit Illinois Commerce Commission website at icc.illinois.gov/programs/Area-Codes.

To ensure a continuing supply of new telephone numbers, the Maryland Public Service Commission has approved an all-services area code overlay for the 240/301 area code region which serves all or portions of Aspen Hill, Bethesda, Bowie, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Hagerstown, Potomac, Silver Spring, Waldorf, Wheaton, and many other small communities. The new 227 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 240/301 area codes.

What is an Area Code Overlay?

An overlay is the addition of another area code (227) to the same geographic region as an existing area code region (240/301). The overlay does not require you to change your existing area code or phone number, or how you dial your calls. You will continue to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, as you do today, within and between the 240, 301, and new 227 area codes.

Who will be affected and when does the new 227 area code become effective?

Beginning June 14, 2023, customers in the 240/301 area code overlay region may be assigned a number in the new 227 area code when they request new service or an additional line. Customers receiving a 227 area code will be required to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, just as customers with telephone numbers from the 240 and 301 area codes do today.

What will you need to do?

Customers in the overlay region should:

• Continue to dial 10 digits for all local calls, including calls within the same area code.
• Continue to identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number, and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, customers, etc.
• Ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 227 area code as a valid area code and continue to store or program telephone numbers as 10-digit numbers. Some examples are: stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, or other similar equipment.
• Check items such as your website, personal and business stationery and printed checks, advertising materials, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
• What is a local call now will remain a local call.
• You will continue to dial 10 digits for local calls within and between the overlay area codes, and 1+10 digits for long distance calls.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 if those are currently available in your community.

Who may you contact with questions?

For more information, please click the Chat with us button at the bottom right corner of this page to contact one of our representatives, or visit the Maryland Public Service Commission’s website at https://www.psc.state.md.us/telecommunications/new-227-area-code-coming-to-maryland-june-2023/.