Breaking the Code

Here we go again.

The boom in pagers, cellular phones, fax machines and computer modems means the 818 area code is running out of new telephone numbers.

If the public’s seemingly insatiable thirst for new technology continues at its current pace, a new area code will be needed by late 2001, prompting officials to start planning now.

Whether it will be a split--in which some part of the Valley gets a new area code--or an overlay--in which a new area code is plopped over the 818--has not been decided. In an overlay, everyone would need to dial the full 10-digit number, including the area code, even if the call is made from an 818 number to an 818 number.

Residents and business owners can voice their opinions at a series of public meetings in November.

For businesses, an overlay would mean fewer headaches, said John Rooney, president of the Valley Economic Development Center Inc., as existing businesses wouldn’t have to pay to have stationery, brochures and other materials reprinted. “From a personal perspective though, I don’t want to dial 10 digits every time I make a call,” said Rooney.

The Valley Industry and Commerce Assn.’s telecommunications and technology committee recently took a position favoring the overlay. Not only would it avoid costly reprinting for current businesses, but would sidestep the delicate issue of deciding where to draw the new boundaries.

“With all the sensitivity over identity in the San Fernando Valley, having to draw arbitrary lines raises more than just an inconvenience said Kevin Tamaki, co-chairman of the VICA committee, who also handles governmental affairs in the Valley for Pacific Bell. “It raises political issues

Fast Facts

* Eighty six area codes were introduced in the United States in 1947. California got three of them--213, 415 and 916.

* Each area code has the capacity to provide about 7.9 million telephone numbers. Not all of those numbers are used because numbers are assigned in blocks of 10,000 to phone companies, some of which won’t distribute their entire lot.

* In North America, there are nearly 1 billion combinations of seven-digit numbers that are possible phone numbers.

* Seventy percent to 80% of phone numbers are assigned or are available for assignment at any given moment. The remaining 20% to 30% remain unassigned to provide a buffer.

* With the creation of the 559 area code in the Modesto area in November, California will have 23 area codes, leading the nation.

* Ten states have a single area code.

* California will get its first “overlay” area code--424--next July. The new 424 area code will serve customers in the same geographic region as the existing 310 area code. The country’s first overlay area code was introduced in New York in 1992.

Choosing New Area Codes

Here’s a look at the process for choosing a new area code, which takes about two years.

1. Lockheed-Martin Corp. monitors the need for new area codes--weighing the current demand for new numbers against those still available--and advises local phone companies that relief is needed.

2) Once the need is determined, a team of representatives from local phone, cellular, cable and paging companies considers options, such as splitting the existing area code or creating an overlay.

3) Plans are presented at public meetings. Officials gauge public support for various scenarios.

4) The telephone industry proposes a plan to the California Public Utilities Commission.

5) California PUC decides to approve or modify the plan. The plan may be sent back for more public meetings or a different plan may be adopted by the PUC.

6) If a new area code is approved, the three-digit number is chosen by Lockheed-Martin.

Breaking up 818

Since 1984, the San Fernando Valley has been home to the 818 area code. But within the next two to three years, another area code will move in.

One factor hastening the need for a new area code is the PUC’s 1996 decision to allow Burbank, Glendale, Las Crescenta and La Canada Flintridge to remain in the 818 area instead of becoming part of 626.

Officials must decide which option--overlay or split--should be enacted.

An overlay places a new area code over the exact boundaries of the 818 area code. Residents and businesses with 818 numbers would be unchanged and all new phone numbers issued in the Valley would get the new area code. However, everyone in the 818 area code would need to dial the full 10-digit phone number, even if the call is made from an 818 number to an 818 number.

A split would keep the 818 area code in one part of the Valley, while giving the other part a new area code. Officials strive for balance when proposing where to draw the line, said Kyle DeVine, California PUC spokeswoman. Both the old and the new area codes theoretically should run out of numbers about the same time to avoid disparity. Exactly where the lines would be drawn for a possible 818 split has not been released.

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818 Area Code Public Meetings

A series of public meetings will be held with representatives from the California PUC and phone companies to discuss possible changes to the 818 area code. Different scenarios will be presented, including an overlay and what the boundaries might be if the area code is split.

Nov. 4: 1 p.m., Burbank City Council chambers, 275 E. Olive St.

Nov 4: 7 p.m., San Fernando City Council chambers, 117 MacNeil St., San Fernando

Nov. 5: 1 p.m., Cal State Northridge Student Union, Santa Clarita Room, 18111 Nordhoff St.

Nov. 5: 7 p.m. at Las Virgenes Municipal Water Dist. board room, 4232 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas

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When To Start Dialing New Area Codes

949 area code

In use since April 18

Must use by Oct. 17

323 area code

In use since June 13

Must use by Jan. 16

661 area code

May begin using Feb. 13

Must use by Aug. 14

Sources: Pacific Bell, North American Numbering Plan Administration--Lockheed Martin Corp, California Public Utilities Commission; Researched by STEPHANIE STASSEL / Los Angeles Times