Supervisors Join in Overlay Opposition

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday joined the growing chorus of opponents of a proposed telephone overlay for the San Fernando Valley’s 818 calling area.

Supervisors passed a formal resolution against the overlay, which would require callers to dial 11-digit numbers for local calls, and instructed county lawyers to file opposing statements with the California Public Utilities Commission, which is scheduled to vote on the proposed change Aug. 5.

The telecommunications industry and the North American Numbering Plan Administration, a group that works as a third party in telephone number disputes, submitted two proposals to the utilities commission earlier this year to address alleged crowding problems with the 818 area code.

Commissioners chose to pursue an overlay instead of splitting the 818 area, believing that approach would ultimately prove easier for consumers. Even with a split, the 818 area is growing so rapidly that it stands to run out of numbers in the next four years, according to GTE and Pacific Bell, the phone companies providing service in the area.

The overlay proposal, however, still sparked criticism from business and homeowner groups, who fear it could cause confusion and force firms and residents to spend money on new stationery and advertisements. Similar opposition has caused an overlay zone proposed for the Westside’s 310 calling area to be delayed indefinitely.

County leaders are not the only politicians expressing concern over the proposed overlay: Los Angeles Councilwoman Laura Chick has also introduced a motion calling for the council to oppose the proposal.