The Joint Telecommunications Carriers (JTC), a consortium of landline and wireless telecom providers, today announced details about the
California Public Utility Commission's decision to introduce the 424 area code as an "overlay" on the 310 area code in Southern California. The JTC said the most important things consumers and businesses need to know about the new area code are:
- All customers who currently have a phone number with a 310 area code will keep the 310 area code
- Phone numbers with the new 424 area code could only be issued after today, Aug. 26
- Beginning July 26, 2006, 1+10-digit dialing will be required to complete calls. All customers with 310 and 424 area codes must dial 1+10-digits on all calls, including those within and between the 310 or 424 area codes.
The carriers serving the state will launch a public education plan in conjunction with the CPUC to ensure that area customers understand the change and that inconveniences are minimized. The plan will focus on how the area code overlay works; what changes will and will not take place; and, when those changes will occur.
Over the past 10 years, telecommunications carriers successfully implemented 50 area code overlays throughout the U.S. to make telephone numbers available to meet growing demand.
