CPUC Orders Three-Way Split For
707 Area Code
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today ordered a
three-way geographic split of the 707 area code in northwestern California and number
conservation measures which should extend how long the new area codes will last before
they have to be split again.
The demand for telecommunications devices—such as pagers, cellular phones, fax
machines and computer modems—and competition for local phone service has increased
the demand for phone numbers statewide.
This is the first time the 707 area will be split since it was first created in 1959 when
it was split from 916 and became the 8th area code in the state. Although not the oldest
area code, it has gone the longest without needing to be split.
Under the split plan, referred to as Alternative 4A in public meetings which were held in
Vallejo, Santa Rosa, Eureka and Ukiah last May, the 707 area code will remain in the
northern area because it is not driving the demand for new area codes. That area is
primarily rural and undergoing minimal growth. The central and southern portions will get
new area codes which will be publicized by February 2000.
According to the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), which monitors area
code growth and forecasts when new ones should be implemented, the 707 area code should
last 15 to 18 years and both new area codes should last seven to 10 years before new area
codes have to be added to these areas.
The northern area covers Gualala, Hopland, Middleton and everything to the north in the
707 area code. The central area continues south from those three areas through Petaluma,
Sonoma and Napa. The southern area includes Vallejo, Fairfield, Vacaville, Dixon and Rio
Vista.
The southern section will be separated from 707 first beginning December 2, 2000. From
that date and until June 2, 2001, consumers outside the new area will be able to reach
consumers in the new area by dialing either just as they do today or by dialing 1 + new
area code + seven-digit number. Then beginning June 2, 2001, consumers outside of the
southern area will have to use the new area code to reach consumers in the new area. If
they do not, for three months they will hear a recording advising them the number is in
the new area code and to redial using that area code.
The central section will be split from the remaining 707 area beginning October 13, 2001.
From that date and until April 13, 2002, consumers outside the new area will be able to
reach consumers in the new area by dialing either just as they do today or by dialing 1 +
new area code + seven-digit number. Beginning April 13, 2002, consumers outside of the
central area will have to dial the new area c de to reach consumers in the new area. If
they do not, for three months they will hear a recording advising them the number is in
the new area code and to redial using that area code. However, conservation measures could
delay the need to implement the second phase, in which case customers will be notified.
The CPUC has ordered that preparations for number conservation measures be implemented,
especially preparations for number pooling which is one of the most significant tools to
defer the need for new area codes. The Commission plans to phase-in number pooling
statewide. It is currently being developed in the 310 and 818 area codes in Los Angeles
County. The Commission expects it will be in place in the 707 area, and in the two new
areas ordered today, soon enough to avoid splitting them again in the near future. Number
pooling is where phone companies share prefixes by being assigned 1,000 phone numbers at a
time.
The current practice for allocating numbers to phone companies assigns an entire prefix,
which contains 10,000 numbers, for every community or rate center where a local phone
company wants to start-up or expand service. The practice worked fine when just one
company served an area, but now that there is competition the practice uses up prefixes
rapidly and some companies have surpluses of numbers while others cannot get numbers to
provide service. There are 76 rate centers in the 707 area and about 35 local phone
companies are competing for business there.
Other conservation measures include reducing the amount of prefixes given out each month
to phone companies serving these area codes. Phone companies are ordered to sequentially
assign numbers from their supplies; that will preserve 1,000 blocks for future number
pooling. The Commission will explore other measures such as having such telecommunications
devices as pagers and cell phones on separate area codes, and requiring phone companies to
relinquish unused or little used prefixes so they can be assigned to companies which need
them. |