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PSC Approves Overlay for 315 Area Code Region
07/16/15 02:30pm

    PRESS RELEASE:

    PSC Approves Overlay for 315 Area Code Region
    — Choosing an Overlay Provides the Least Amount of Customer
    Disruption —

    NEW YORK — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission)
    today approved an area code overlay in the 315 area code region serving all or
    part of 18 counties in central New York.

    The addition of a new area code in central New York was prompted by strong
    demand for additional telephone numbers. In making its decision, the
    Commission determined that the best way to meet demand for new telephone
    numbers in the region and minimize customer impact was to overlay a
    new area code over the existing area code.

    In an earlier recommended decision, an administrative law judge had concluded
    that a new area code overlay was the best option for area code relief in the 315
    region. Department of Public Service staff also recommended the overlay option
    because it is easier to implement, less expensive, easier for customers to adapt
    to, and fairer to all customers. In addition, the overlay permits all existing
    telephone users in the region to keep their entire current phone numbers,
    including the 315 area code.

    Nearly all new area codes created in the United States over the past few years
    have been implemented via an overlay. Demand for new phone numbers is
    driven largely by the phenomenal growth of new technology that requires an
    individual phone number, such as cell phones. With the overlay method, all
    customers will need to dial 10 digits (the area code plus the 7-digit number) on
    calls in their area code, and 1 plus 10 digits for calls to numbers outside their
    area code.

    With its decision, the Commission directed all telephone carriers in the 315 area
    code region to file within 45 days a plan outlining the steps necessary to
    implement the overlay, including an 11- month permissive dialing period that
    allows both 7-digit and 10-digit (area code plus 7-digit number) dialing.
    After this period, only 10-digit dialing will be allowed; and any mis-dialed calls will
    be trigger a message directing the caller to dial 10 digits.

    Throughout the proceeding, the Commission conducted an extensive public
    outreach and education program throughout the 315 area code region to alert the
    public to the proceeding, and to solicit their concerns and opinions. The
    Commission also held numerous informational forums and public statement
    hearings, and received many comments from the public via its website.

    The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), which administers
    the numbering scheme for telephone networks in the United States and
    elsewhere, initially advised the Commission in 1999 that the 315 area code was
    projected to have a shortage of available central office codes (the
    first three digits in a 7-digit phone number). However, ongoing number
    conservation measures prolonged the life of the area code then and in two other
    subsequent exhaust forecasts in 2007 and 2013. On February 6, 2015, NANPA
    informed the Commission that the 315 area code will have a shortage of
    available central office codes by no later than the first quarter of 2017.

    There are no additional conservation measures that can eliminate the need for
    area code relief or extend the time by which relief is needed. However, the
    Commission reserved its right to reexamine its decision upon review of updated
    telephone number exhaust data from NANPA due in October.

    The 315 area code is located within all or part of 18 counties in central New
    York, including: Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer,
    Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Oswego, Ostego, St.
    Lawrence, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates.

    The Commission’s decision in this case, when issued, may be obtained on the
    Commission’s website by going to the Commission Documents section at www.
    dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 07-C-1486 in the input box labeled
    "Search for Case/Matter Number." Many libraries offer free Internet
    access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s
    Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-
    2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-
    3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.









              












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