04:44 p.m Mar 31, 1999 Eastern
WASHINGTON, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The surrounding areas of
Milwaukee County, which are currently in the 414 area code, will be assigned the new 262
area code, it was announced today by the Communications Industry Services (CIS) group of
Lockheed Martin IMS, the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA).
On March 16, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin ordered a
geographic split to provide relief for the 414 area code. The area code split line will be
along the approximate Milwaukee County line. Milwaukee County retains 414, while the
remaining area will get the new 262 area code.
Subsequent exhaust of the 414 and 262 codes is currently forecasted
to occur in approximately seven years for both codes.
Optional dialing for the new 262 area code is planned to begin
September 25, 1999. At that time calls can be made with either the old or new area code.
Required dialing of 262 will begin on March 4, 2000. Attached is the listing of prefixes
that will be in the 414 and 262 area codes.
A new area code is necessary because the 414 area is rapidly using
up prefix codes -- the three-digit combinations that are the first part of a seven-digit
phone number. The need for another area code is prompted by the demand and growth for new
telecommunications services and telephone numbers in the Milwaukee area.
Area code relief activities for the 414 and 262 area codes are
administered by Lockheed Martin's CIS group, who was selected by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) to serve as the NANPA. NANPA is a neutral, third-party
administrator that oversees the assignment of area codes, three-digit central office
codes, carrier identification codes, and other numbering resources throughout the United
States, Canada, Bermuda and 16 Caribbean countries.
