315
Case Update
The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) announced today it was putting on hold its proceeding to determine how best to create an additional area code in the 315 area code region.
The Commission instituted the proceeding in December 2007 to investigate and evaluate options for making additional telephone numbers available in the 315 area code. However, subsequent updates by North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), the entity designated by the Federal Communications Commission to administer area codes throughout the United States, indicate the area code will not exhaust as quickly as initially predicted.
NANPA initially advised the Commission and Staff of the Department of Public Service that the 315 area code, serving all or part of 18 northern and central New York counties, would run out of assignable telephone numbers by the third quarter of 2010. However, primarily due to the slowing of the economy, the exhaust date estimated by NANPA has now been extended until the first quarter of 2013.
As a result of the most recent NANPA update, the Commission announced it would be best if the proceeding was held in abeyance until such time as the facts and circumstances indicate a more immediate need for area code relief. The Director of the Office of Telecommunications will periodically advise the Commission of future 315 forecasts to assure an orderly process for addressing the needs of the region.
The Commission's notice issued today may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission's Web site at www.dps.state.ny.us and entering Case Number 07-C-1486 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission orders may also be obtained from the Commission's Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500).
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Case Background
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 The 315 area code serves all or part of eighteen counties in the northern and central region of New York State, including:
Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Oswego, Otsego, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Wayne and Yates |
On December 12, 2007, the Commission instituted a proceeding (Case 07-C-1486) to evaluate the best options for providing additional numbers in the 315 area code region. A 315 Area Code "Relief Plan" and a Notice Inviting Comments on the plan were issued in early March 2008. The Relief Plan, also referred to as Staff's White Paper, described the options available to implement a new area code. Press releases concerning the proceeding are available using the links on the right hand side of this web page.
The options described in the Relief Plan included an overlay and three different geographic splits. An overlay would superimpose a new area code on the present 315 region while a geographic split would divide the current region into two zones, with one zone retaining the 315 area code and the other zone being assigned a new area code. Click here to see maps of the three geographic splits described in the Relief Plan. Staff's White Paper. A list of frequently asked questions regarding area codes and the 315 relief plan is also available.
Public comment, gathered through a series of 14 public education forums/ public statement hearings, the Internet and the Commission's toll-free opinion line, was in favor of the overlay option. On November 26, 2008, Administrative Law Judge Howard Jack issued a Recommended Decision (RD) that recommended the Commission implement the overlay option, rather than any of three geographic splits that were under consideration in the case. With the overlay, existing customers would retain their current telephone numbers, including area code, while new customers would be issued telephone numbers with a new area code. Once an overlay is introduced, everyone in the region will be required to use the full 11-digit number (1+area code+7 digit number) when making calls.
The RD expressed the view that the overlay is the more fair and equitable option. A geographic split would impose almost all the burden of area code relief on consumers in the zone receiving the new code, while users in the zone retaining the 315 code would bear little burden.
Comments regarding the case have been placed in the public case file and are available for public inspection in the Commission's Central Files, 14th Floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany.
For Additional Information or to Comment
As part of our outreach and education efforts, information - such as dates and locations of public statement hearings and additional case updates - will be sent periodically to consumers on mailing and e-mail lists.
If you would like to have your name placed on a list to receive periodic updates, please send your mailing address and/or e-mail address to amanda_mulhern@dps.state.ny.us. You may also send her your comments about the case. All correspondence related to the proceeding should include Case 07-C-1468.
Please note, in accordance with our privacy policy, the Department does not collect any information for commercial marketing purposes, and does not sell or otherwise market your e-mail address or other personal information for commercial purposes.
