804 AREA CODE RELIEF OPTION RECOMMENDED

RICHMOND -- The 804 area code region of Virginia would be split with the eastern section receiving an overlay code in about six years under a recommended relief plan submitted to the State Corporation Commission. An SCC hearing examiner considers the geographic split with an overlay to come later as the fairest alternative to resolve the projected April 2002 exhaust of available numbers.

     SCC Hearing Examiner Michael D. Thomas says, "There is one absolute certainty in this case: not everyone will be satisfied with the result I am recommending, but it is the fairest alternative for all parties."

     The 804 area code includes most of Central and Southside Virginia as well as the Northern Neck. Major cities include Richmond, Petersburg, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and Danville.

     The alternative being recommended to the Commission draws a line that splits the existing 804 area code region in half geographically. But the split, in terms of existing telephone customers, places one-third of them in the western section and the other two-thirds in the eastern section (see map).

     Richmond, its surrounding metropolitan area including Petersburg, and the Northern Neck would retain the existing 804 area code. Six years later, a new area code would be assigned to serve the same geographic region. An overlay code requires all calls within the area to dial 10-digits (area code, plus the number). This should provide relief for at least 20 years.

     Central and Southside Virginia, including Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Danville, South Boston and Emporia, would receive a new area code. Although phone customers would experience a one-time inconvenience of a change in their area code, seven-digit dialing for all local calls would be preserved. This is also expected to be a 20-year solution for this area.

    According to Thomas, the alternative being recommended "only places the overlay on the urban portion of the 804 area code experiencing the explosive growth in telephone number usage." The rural portion would not have to face the potential of an overlay until the next time area code relief is required.

     The 804 area code was created in 1972 when it was split from Virginia's original 703 code, which served the entire state. Virginia now has five area codes. The most recent was introduced in April. It is an overlay code, 571, serving the same geographic region as 703. The new area code will be given to new telephone service accounts in Northern Virginia once the remaining 703 area code numbers are exhausted.

     Parties to the case have 15 days to file comments on the hearing examiner's report. Once comments have been received, the Commission will review the entire case file before making a final decision.

CASE NUMBER - PUC990159

Map of recommended alternative for 804 area code relief