12/18/99
By CHRIS METINKO
Register Staff WriterNAPA
Napa County will get a new area code in October 2001, but the number to replace 707 has not yet been chosen.
The California Public Utilities Commission has ordered a three-way geographic split of the 707 area code.
Napa businesses leaders wanted to keep the 707 area code, which has been in place since 1959. The 707 area code has maintained the longest stay in the state without being split, but new technology forced the break up of northwestern California's area code.
"The demand for telecommunications devices -- such as pagers, cellular phones, fax machines and computer modems -- and competition for local phone services has increased the demand for phone numbers statewide," said a CPUC statement.
The northern area of present 707 coverage will retain the 707 area code. This region covers a large area of the north coast, including Eureka and Crescent City . Also keeping the 707 area code will be Gualala, Hopland and Middleton.
Friday's CPUC announcement does not state exactly where the dividing line will be.
Napa County falls into the central region, along with Sonoma and Petaluma. The new area code change will begin on Oct. 13, 2001.
From then until April 13, 2002, consumers outside the new area will be able to reach consumers in the new area by dialing the new area code or the old 707 area code. After April 13, 2002 people will have to dial the new area code.
The southern region, including Vallejo, Fairfield, Vacaville, Dixon and Rio Vista, will get a new area code change Dec. 2, 2000.
Many in the Napa business world fought the change, including the city's Chamber of Commerce, Redevelopment/Economic Development Department and the Napa Valley Conference and Visitors Bureau.
"It could have a significant impact on Napa businesses," said Cassandra Walker, Redevelopment/Economic Development manager. "The city felt strongly that if Napa could keep the 707 area code, it should."
Daniel Howard, executive director of the Napa Valley Conference and Visitors Bureau, said he and the Chamber felt Napa should keep the 707 area code because of Napa's worldwide recognition as a tourist spot. Changing the area code could throw off international travelers, and even domestic tourists.
"We were definitely against the move," Howard said.
Howard said a recent survey studying a similar area code change in Santa Cruz, also renowned for its tourism business, has found the change has had little affect on that area's business.
"They had enough time to market themselves through the change," said Howard, adding that his bureau will also have enough time to do the same.
According to the North America Numbering Plan Administration, which monitors area code growth and forecasts when new ones should be implemented, the areas that got to keep the 707 area code should be able to keep it for 15 to 18 more years. Both new area codes, including the undetermined number for Napa, should last seven to 10 years before new area codes have to be added.
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