Area Code Chosen for Southwest Valley

A 747 is destined for the San Fernando Valley, but no one knows when it will land.

The number commonly associated with Boeing Co.’s jumbo jetliner was announced Monday as the new telephone area code for the southwestern portion of the Valley if and when a new code is needed.

The 747 number was selected by an independent contractor hired by the Federal Communications Commission to administer the North American Numbering Plan. That organization assigns area codes and other numbering resources for telephone companies throughout the United States and its territories as well as Canada, many Caribbean nations and other countries.

Ironically, the contractor that selected the number is a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, the former aerospace giant that waged war from its Burbank headquarters against the rival Boeing. Under the split, Burbank and the northeast Valley will retain the 818 area code.

Numbers for area codes are selected through a complex process to make sure they are not similar to adjoining area codes and do not duplicate predominant three-digit dialing prefixes within the area code, said Rebecca Barnhart, spokeswoman for Lockheed Martin. “The 747 number had been reserved for the 818 area code for some time,” she said. “But we just announced it today.”

The state Public Utilities Commission last month adopted a number-conservation program designed to keep the 818 area code intact for as long as possible. However, the PUC also decided that should available numbers be exhausted, the Valley’s 818 area code would be split. It rejected a so-called overlay, in which all new phones in the 818 area would get a new area code and existing phones would keep the 818 designation.

The split would be instituted only after all available phone numbers are exhausted. PUC officials said studies are underway, but they do not know how soon the split will occur.

Joe Cocke, a planner for the numbering program, called the PUC decision to delay setting a date unique. But he said the new number was announced Monday so that the telecommunications industry can take steps necessary to implement changes.

“Local calls will remain local calls regardless of the area code dialed,” he noted.

Communities that would be in the 747 area are Van Nuys, Reseda, Canoga Park, Agoura, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills and Westlake Village. In addition to the northeast Valley and Burbank, communities that would retain the 818 number include Glendale, La Canada Flintridge and San Fernando.