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News Release
August  5, 1999

PUC Chooses 3-way Split For Area Code 409

This three-way geographic split was one of several options considered by the Commission in a decision made difficult by 409’s mix of widely dispersed high-growth centers and more sparsely populated rural areas covering more than 25,000 square miles.

"This was not an easy decision, but the three-way split will extend the life of these area codes far longer than any of the other options presented," said PUC Chairman Pat Wood, III. "This is one of the prices we have to pay for our booming economy."

Commissioner Judy Walsh added, "None of the choices was ideal, but the three-way split imposes less disruption in the long run and preserves seven-digit dialing and a geographic identity."

Established in 1983 with the geographic split of area code 713, area code 409 currently extends up most of the Texas-Louisiana border, reaches west to Bryan-College Station, stretches down the eastern third of the Texas Gulf Coast and surrounds Houston.

The central section including Nacogdoches, Huntsville, Lufkin, Navasota and Conroe will be assigned a new area code. Another new code will be given to the western region including Bryan/College Station, Brenham, Matagorda and Angleton.

The two new area codes should be announced within the next few weeks. To give customers plenty of time to adjust to the new area codes, they will be encouraged to start using the new area codes in early February 2000. But if callers dial the old code, their calls will still be connected until early October 2000 when the new codes become official.

In March, the PUC held public meetings in Columbus, Galveston, Beaumont, Lufkin, Huntsville and Bryan to give residents the opportunity to voice their opinions about how to add one or more new area codes. PUC Commissioners extended the comment period and asked citizens to express their preference for the three-way split or a non-concentrated growth overlay. Since July the Commission received approximately 200 comments on the two options. Neither option received a clear majority. Most business respondents preferred the overlay, while most residential respondents opted for the split.

Commissioner Brett Perlman added, "We thank all the customers who responded to the PUC’s requests for their opinions about this issue. Every public meeting statement, phone call, letter and e-mail message was taken into account during the decision-making process."

In Texas’ changing regulatory environment, the PUC facilitates competition and customer choice while regulating electric and telephone utilities to ensure rates, operations and services are just and reasonable for customers.

All PUC News Releases are available at www.puc.state.tx.us