Five Options Under Consideration for Area Code 817

Contact:
Terry Hadley 512-936-7135
Pager: 512-322-1457

Telephone customers in the North Texas region, which includes Fort Worth, Arlington, Weatherford, and Granbury, are encouraged to comment on the five options the Public Utility Commission (PUC) is considering for the relief of area code 817.

The PUC’s decision will be announced in December. The deadline for filing comments on the five options being considered is Dec. 3, 1999.

"We’d prefer not to have to change things in 817 at all," said Chairman Pat Wood. "But since we do have to do something to make sure that this growing area has more telephone numbers available, we want the folks in this area code to understand what their options are and to tell us their preferences."

"Public input is an important part of the process," said Commissioner Judy Walsh. "Comment from customers directly affected by this area code change will be extremely helpful."

"We realize no one likes area code changes. But since we have to make some change, we’re trying to find the most practical and viable and least inconvenient option," said Commissioner Brett A. Perlman.

Area code 817 serves Tarrant and Johnson counties as well as portions of Hood, Parker, Johnson, Wise and Denton counties.

Option 1 is an "all services" overlay. The entire 817 region would receive a new, second area code, so all telephone customers would have to dial 10 digits to complete a local call. Old customers would retain their original number. New customers could be assigned either area code.

Option 2 is a geographic split. Fort Worth and communities north, west, and south of the city would be assigned one area code. The eastern portion of area code 817, the mid-cities region, would be assigned a new area code. This option would preserve seven-digit dialing and would also preserve a geographic identity in the region.

Option 3 is a geographic split plus an overlay. Fort Worth and the mid-cities would keep area code 817 with a new area code overlaid onto this area. Calls made within the overlaid area would require ten-digit dialing. The more rural area south and west of Fort Worth would receive a new area code and retain seven-digit dialing.

Option 4 is a concentrated overlay. Telephone customers in Fort Worth, the mid-cities, and small segments of Wise and Denton counties would receive a second area code in addition to 817. These customers would have to dial 10 digits to complete a local call. The remaining telephone customers would keep area code 817 and only have to dial seven digits to complete a call.

Option 5 is boundary realignment coupled with an overlay. Under this option, customers in the more rural south and western portion of the current 817 area code would be shifted to the 940 area code. The 940 area code is northwest of the 817 area code and includes Wichita Falls. Under this option, customers in the remaining portions of the 817 area code would receive an overlay similar to that described in Option 3.

PUC staff will hold public meetings to discuss the area code relief options on November 8-10 in the following cities.

Monday, Nov. 8:
Granbury High School Auditorium
2000 W. Pearl St.
Granbury, Texas; 4:30-6:00 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 8
Weatherford City Council Chambers
303 Palo Pinto
Weatherford, Texas
7:00-9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 9
Fort Worth City Council Chambers
1000 Throckmorton
Fort Worth, Texas
2:00-4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 10
Arlington City Council Chambers
101 W. Abraham St.
Arlington, Texas
6-8:00 p.m.

Persons with disabilities who wish to attend one of these public meetings should call the PUC at least two business days before the meeting so appropriate accommodations can be made. Call 512-936-7349 or the TTY phone for persons with hearing problems, 512-936-7136.

Anyone unable to attend one of the public meetings who wishes to comment on the area code options can contact the PUC by calling the Commission’s toll-free number (888-782-8477) or writing the PUC’s Office of Customer Protection at Box 13326; Austin, TX 78711-3326. Commenters can also send e-mail expressing a preference to areacodes@puc.state.tx.

Maps of the five area code 817 options are posted on the PUC Web site and can be accessed by going to What’s New or by going directly to Area Code 817 Project #20699

Last Updated 11/01/99

Copyright 1998-99 Public Utility Commission of Texas. 1701 N. Congress Ave., PO Box 13326, Austin, TX 78711-3326 All Rights Reserved.