PSC Approves New Area Code for NYC Outer Boroughs Existing 718/347 Telephone Numbers Remain Unchanged

On December 16, 2009,.the New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) directed Verizon New York Inc., and all other carriers providing local exchange service in the 718/347 area of New York City to activate a new area code for this service area.

The goal of long-term area code relief is to balance the provision of additional telephone numbering resources while minimizing possible disruption to consumers and businesses. With the introduction of a new area code, in tandem with a comprehensive outreach and education program for consumers, the overlay plan adopted by the Commission today for the Outer Boroughs of New York City is the least confusing for consumers and the most efficient option for the industry to implement area code relief.

Under the overlay plan, which is being done in cooperation with the federal North American Numbering Plan Code Administrator (NANPA), an all-services distributed overlay would be implemented to ensure the continued availability of telephone numbers in the area currently served by the 718 and 347 area codes.

A new area code will be assigned to the Boroughs of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, which are served by the existing 718 and 347 area codes. All local calls within and between the 718 and 347 area codes and the new area code would continue to be dialed by using 1+10 digit dialing. The actual three-number area code will be assigned by NANPA at a later date.

An overlay occurs when a new area code is superimposed on an existing calling area which results in more than one area code serving the same calling area or region. As noted above, with an overlay, calls would not be completed without first dialing 1, plus the 3-digit area code, and then the 7-digit number. This dialing pattern is already in effect in the New York City area. Also, under an overlay plan, all existing telephone numbers remain unchanged, while new telephone numbers would be assigned the new area code.

For more information regarding the Commission's written decision on the new area code, you can visit the Department website at www.dps.state.ny.us, and go to the Commission Document Section or Press Releases and search for Case Number 09-C-0058.  The background information on this case is below:  

Background Information on Case Number 09-C-0058

The 718 and 347 area codes, covering the boroughs of Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, are running out of assignable telephone numbers, according to the Federal Communications Commission's North American Numbering Plan.  Each telephone line is assigned a ten-digit number made up of a three-digit area code, a three-digit central office code and a four-digit station number (e.g. 315-NXX-1234) and the available central office codes for this geographic area is expected to be depleted by 2011.

On May 8, 2009, the Public Service Commission (PSC) issued a Notice Inviting Comments on the Department of Public Service (DPS) Staff's 718/347 Area Code "Relief Plan"  The Plan, also referred to as Staff's Options Paper, includes two proposed relief options involving "overlays" which would superimpose a new area code on the present 718/347 region.  The options considered are described below:

Option # 1 -  Overlay over the 718/347 Area Codes

• A new area code would be superimposed over the same geographic area covered by the existing 718/347 area codes.
• Existing customers would retain their area code and current telephone number.
• New customers would be assigned the new area code

Option # 2 -  Overlay over the 2/2/646/917/718/347 Area Codes

• A new area code would be superimposed over the same geographic area covered by the existing 718/347 area codes, as well as the area covered by the 212, 646 and 917 area codes.
• Existing customers would retain their area code and current telephone number.
• New customers would be assigned the new area code

Click here to see maps of the two geographic splits described in the Relief Plan (Staff's Options Paper).

A summary of the case is available in the case fact sheet or you can access the 09-C-0058 case file for case related documents.

 

PSC Sought Public Input

The Commission, before it reached a decision regarding the best method of providing area code relief considered the  concerns and comments from residents and businesses in the affected 718/347 region.  The PSC's goal was to minimize disruption and inconvenience to the public when the new area code was implemented.  This objective was accomplished by the following:

• Informed affected consumers of the need for a new area code in the 718/347 region
• Received feedback on consumer preferences regarding the options presented in the Relief Plan
• Received comments related to the need for another code in this region.

The objectives listed above were accomplished by soliciting feedback and comments from the affected region by the following:  used the AskPSC.com website and toll-free Opinion Line, sent mailings to targeted stakeholders in the affected boroughs and provided information at meetings and events

Staff analyzed the comments received from the public and developed a final report recommending a decision to the Commission.  Following the Commission's decision at the December 16, 2009, Session, an order was issued which directs the local telephone providers in the area to submit a customer education and network preparation plan.  Once implementation begins, the PSC will conduct a second phase of outreach and education.