New York State Public Service Commission
Department of Public Service

Long Island Area Code Proceeding

Case 98-C-0689

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Since 1951, Long Island has had one area code - 516. However, with the increased usage of fax machines, cellular phones, modems, and pagers, the 516 area code is running out of telephone numbers. In addition, competition in local telephone service has resulted in the assignment of many numbers to new local telephone companies for future use. For more information, review the Staff Paper, issued January 27, 1999.

The Issue to be Decided

The central issue to be decided by the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) is which of two area code options to be recommended by the Commission's staff will be best for Long Island and cause the fewest disruptions. A decision is expected by the Commission in the spring of this year.

The Two Options

The two options under consideration are the overlay plan and the geographic split.

Overlay Plan

• A new area code would be established for all of Long Island.
• All existing customers would retain their 516 area code and seven-digit telephone number(s).
• New telephone numbers would be assigned either 516 or the new area code, depending upon availability.

Advantages

1. The overlay avoids any forced number or area code change for any Long Islander.
2. It can be easily replicated in the future, as needed.
3. It would spare thousands of wireless customers from having their cellular phones and pagers reprogrammed.

Disadvantages

1. The overlay could require 10 digit dialing for all calls, even calls within the same area code (intra-code calls), even though such calls would be billed as local calls.
2. It might cause confusion as area codes would always have to be dialed. (This would apply to calls within a residence or business located in the same building.)
3. Without additional steps to ensure equal access to available numbers, an overlay may raise concerns among competing local phone companies.

Geographic Split

• The 516 area code would be split into two geographic areas, along the Nassau/Suffolk County border.
• One county would retain 516 as its area code, and the other county would be assigned the new area code.

Advantages

1. The geographic split retains the familiar identification between a locale and an area code, thereby avoiding the confusion of having more than one area code within the same neighborhood or business district.
2. Customers would continue to dial seven digits within their home area code.

Disadvantages

1. Over one million existing customers in either Nassau or Suffolk County would be required to adopt a new area code.
2. Thousands of wireless customers located in the county with the new area code would be required to have their cellular phones and pagers reprogrammed.
3. Future area code relief could require additional splits to smaller and smaller areas without clear recognizable geographic boundaries, and could mean that some customers would be faced with multiple number changes.

Other Critical Issues

As part of its consideration of the geographical split option, the PSC will decide which county should keep the 516 area code and which should get the new area code. Your input is important and will be considered carefully by the PSC.

Presently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations require 10-digit dialing on every call, even on calls within the same area code, when an overlay area code is implemented. The PSC has asked the FCC to reconsider this requirement.

A new area code will have no effect on customers' rates for local calls.

There Are Several Ways For You To Become Involved

You may attend information forums that staff of the Commission will hold for consumers to learn about the proposed options and the process for the Commission to make a decision. In addition, public statement hearings, presided over by an Administrative Law Judge will be held to give the public an opportunity to comment about this issue and the options. The schedule for the forums and public statement hearings is as follows:

Tuesday, March 23, 1999

4:30 p.m. - Information Session
5:30 and 7:30 p.m. - Public Statement Hearing
Legislative Auditorium
Evans K. Griffing Building
300 Center Drive
Riverhead

Wednesday, March 24, 1999

12 Noon - Information Session
1:00 p.m. - Public Statement Hearing
Smithtown Town Hall
99 West Main Street
Smithtown

6:00 p.m. - Information Session
7:00 p.m. - Public Statement Hearing
Farmingdale High School Auditorium
150 Lincoln Street
Farmingdale

Thursday, March 25, 1999

12 Noon - Information Session
1:00 p.m. - Public Statement Hearing
Village Hall
171 Jericho Turnpike
Mineola

You may also comment by:

All comments received during public statement hearings, in writing, via the opinion line or Website will become part of the official record to be considered by the Commission.

Last modified: February 25, 1999