Valleywide : VICA Votes Against New 626 Area Code

The Valley Industry and Commerce Assn. has voted against a proposal for a new 626 telephone area code that would include Burbank and Glendale.

The new area code is tentatively set to start in June 1997. But VICA wants to keep the existing 818 area code throughout the San Fernando Valley. “Splitting the area codes . . . would have the effect of balkanizing the Valley,” said Robert Scott, a member of VICA’s telecommunications committee.

An official complaint will be filed later with the state Public Utilities Commission to try to keep the 818 area code for the entire Valley, Scott said.

This month, Burbank and Glendale filed a complaint to keep the cities inside the 818 area code, arguing that the new area code should start in Pasadena. In December, Monterey Park filed a complaint to keep the San Gabriel Valley inside the 818 area code.

Although communities are fighting to avoid being included in a new area code, the change is inevitable because of the proliferation of phone, fax, computer lines and cellular phones in the area. Many local businesses are hoping to avoid the additional expense of updating their letterheads and business cards with new area codes.

The PUC is expected to issue a final ruling on the new area code communities later this year.