Cracking the Code

In those dark and unwired days before most people had pagers, personal computers and cellular phones, telephone users believed that the only time a person’s area code changed was when he moved.

Indeed, the 213 area code reigned supreme in Los Angeles County, and throughout Southern California, from 1947 to 1984, when it finally surrendered the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys to the 818 area code. Before that, the only other changes to 213 occurred in 1951 and 1957, when the telephone company and regulators created the 714 and 805 area codes.

But in the last decade, the Southland has seen unprecedented growth in local area codes. Five new area codes have sprouted here since 1992--most taking root within the last three years--and officials with the North American Numbering Plan Administration say more changes are in the works.

Most recently, Westside and South Bay telephone users were among the first in the state to be assigned an “overlay,” meaning that two area codes will soon exist in the same area.

Telephone companies and the California Public Utilities Commission say the changes are needed to keep pace with spiraling demand for new telephone lines--lines required for such electronic devices as pagers, modems, wireless phones, fax machines and bank card debit machines. Population growth and regulations concerning the sale and purchase of telephone lines share in the blame as well.

213/323: The 213 area code now stands as a tiny downtown island among a sea of newborn codes. Most recently, area code planners split off a doughnut-shaped portion of 213 to create a Los Angeles area code of 323. That split occurred last June.

310/424: Telephone customers on the Westside and in the South Bay are the first in the state to see the creation of an overlay (two area code) district. Although existing phone lines will retain 310, a new 424 area code will be assigned to all new lines beginning in July.

In addition, all callers within the district must dial a 1, plus the area code, plus the regular seven-digit telephone number to complete a call, even in their own area code.

The new 11-digit dialing took effect Saturday.

562: This new code, which includes Seal Beach, Long Beach and eastern Los Angeles County, was created in 1997 when the area was broken off from 310. Telephone industry planners say the area is burning through telephone numbers and must either be split again or get an overlay.

Planners have suggested two options for a north-south split. One option would leave Long Beach, Seal Beach, Signal Hill, Paramount and parts of Lakewood and Hawaiian Gardens with the existing 562 area code, while communities to the north would get a new area code. In the second split proposal, northern communities such as Downey, Cerritos, Norwalk, Whittier, Pico Rivera, La Habra Heights and Santa Fe Springs would keep the 562 area code. Cities to the south would get a new one.

Planners are also considering an overlay for the entire 562 area.

818/626: Although telephone customers in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys experienced the turmoil of a split in their 818 area code two years ago, callers in the new 626 area code can take some satisfaction in knowing that further changes are in store for their former code mates in 818.

Telephone companies and public utility officials are already planning changes that could involve another two-way split in the 818 area code or an overlay. A final decision is expected within two months.

Today, planners are resisting the urge to predict the life span of any new area code.

“When it comes to area code relief, we need to start planning a good 30 months before we implement the changes,” said Joseph R. Cocke, a senior relief planner with the North American Numbering Plan Administration in Washington. “So we’re keeping a close eye on these areas.”

805/661: For more than 30 years the 805 area code had incorporated the northern reaches of Los Angeles County with communities in Ventura, Kings, Kern, Tulare, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. In February, though, the area was split into east and west.

Although the 805 area code remains in the western half of the split and includes the cities of Ventura and Santa Barbara, residents east of the dividing line are getting acquainted with their new 661 area code. Palmdale, Santa Clarita and Kern County all fall within the new code.

909: Interesting times await customers in the 909 area code, which includes Riverside and covers that chunk of land between the 760 area code and the Los Angeles-Orange County urban sprawl.

Public utility officials have just decided to split the area into north and south regions, with the southern half getting a new 951 area code. But that’s not all. After the split, the northern 909 area code will get a new overlay. In such districts, existing telephone lines maintain their current area code, and new connections get a different one. In this case, the new overlay area code will be 752.

The initial split will not take place until Feb. 12, 2000. Callers will be given a seven-month get-acquainted period in which to memorize the changes. During this time callers can still dial the old area code to reach connections in the new area code. That will change in September 2000 though, when callers must use the new area code. The overlay will be imposed on the 909 area code in February 2001.

714/949: Numbering officials said they have no plans to change the 949 area code, which covers southern Orange County and was broken off from the 714 area code last year. However, the officials say 949 will probably run out of numbers by 2004.

Those north Orange County customers who retained 714 are looking at yet another change. Recently, public utility officials approved the creation of a 657 overlay district. The new area code will be assigned to all new phone lines beginning in October 2000. Prior to that, residents must begin dialing a 1, plus the area code, plus the regular phone number for all calls in July 2000.

760: This sprawling area code, which is just 2 years old, rises from the Mexican border and runs north to the Eastern Sierra. It borders Arizona and Nevada, and in some cases runs all the way west to the Pacific. Its turf includes Oceanside, El Centro, Palm Springs, Barstow and Mammoth.

Despite being new, the 760 area code is reportedly running out of dialing prefixes and the utilities commission is discussing plans to divide it. Proposals filed in March call for either a two-way split, or a two-way split with an overlay. The two-way split would give north San Diego County a new area code and leave those areas to the east with the 760 area code. A decision is expected within three months.

619: The 619 code, which has graced much of San Diego County since 1982, is gearing up for some big changes.

As part of a planned three-way split that will occur in two phases, the 619 area code will be divided into a central, northern and eastern section. The central area, including downtown San Diego, will retain 619. Those areas to the north and east of downtown San Diego will get new codes.

The first phase of the split will occur in June, when the new area code 858 will be given to communities in the north. This area includes Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Poway and the northern section of San Diego.

The second phase will take place in June 2000, and will cover the largest area.

This eastern portion, which will carry the 935 area code, will include south San Diego, Coronado, La Mesa, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Santee and most of Lemon Grove and National City.

Northern California: Numbering plan officials say that despite all the area code changes here, planners bear no grudge against Southern California. “We’re active in the north as well,” Cocke said.

For those Southern California residents who make frequent calls to friends, family and business connections to the north, here are a few of the changes you will be dealing with:

San Francisco’s 415 area code will get an overlay area code of 628. Get-acquainted dialing begins in October, while mandatory 11-digit dialing begins in July 2000. The new overlay area code will begin use in October 2000.

Oakland’s 510 will also get an overlay area code--341. Eleven-digit dialing will begin in June and will become mandatory on April 15, 2000. The new area code will be assigned to all new phone lines in July 2000.

San Jose’s 408 area code will get the overlay area code 669.

The area is currently in the permissive phase, while mandatory 11-digit dialing begins in October. The overlay area code will be assigned beginning Jan. 1, 2000.

As for other areas of Northern California, public utility officials are currently weighing a split or an overlay in the 650 area code, while studies are underway for the area codes 925, 916 and 707.

And lastly, no further changes are planned for the state’s remaining four area codes--559, in the Fresno area; 530, in northeast California; 209, in the Stockton and Merced area; and 831, which includes Monterey and Santa Cruz.

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A State With Many Numbers

Telephone area codes have been sprouting wildly to keep up with the demand for new phone lines, and California now has more than two dozen dialing areas in the state.