RICHMOND -- A new area code -- 434 -- has been assigned to the western half of the existing 804 region by the Northern American Numbering Plan Administration. The new code is needed as part of an area code relief solution approved by the State Corporation Commission (SCC) on December 1st.

     The split is scheduled for June 1, 2001. This is approximately ten months in advance of the projected April 2002 exhaust of available numbers in the 804 area code region. Originally, the SCC ordered the split to occur on April 1, 2001. However, the telephone industry asked for additional time to ensure a smooth transition to the new number.

     Central and Southside Virginia, including Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Danville, South Boston, and Emporia will receive the new area code. The affected counties include all of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Buckingham, Nelson, Amherst, Appomattox, Campbell, Pittsylvania, Halifax, Charlotte, Prince Edward, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, and Greensville. Portions of the following are also impacted by the area code change, the southern portion of Green County, southwestern Louisa County, eastern Bedford County, southern Cumberland County, southwestern Sussex County, extreme western Southampton County, and small sections of southeastern Dinwiddie and southern Prince George Counties. (See map.)

     The introduction of the 434 area code will begin with a "permissive" dialing period on June 1, 2001. This period will last seven and one half months. Customers can use either the old 804 or the new 434 area code to place calls between the 804 and the new 434 calling areas by dialing just seven-digits during the permissive period.

     Mandatory dialing of the 434 area code will begin on January 15, 2002. On that date, callers must use the correct area code to complete their calls. In addition, customers will have to use 10-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit phone number) on all local calls between area codes. After the mandatory dialing begins, callers who do not use the new area code will receive a recorded message reminding them that the area code has changed. They will then be required to redial the number using the correct area code. Telephone companies serving the affected area will be communicating and educating customers about the change.

     Although phone customers in the new 434 area experience a one-time inconvenience of a change in their area code, customers will be able to make local calls to other numbers in the 434 area code by dialing just the seven-digit number. Long distance calls will continue to be dialed as before. The new area code does not affect the cost of telephone calls. Local calls will remain local calls regardless of the area code dialed.

    Wireless telephone customers in the new 434 region will be able to retain their 804 number for up to two years after the split occurs. Eventually, they must have their wireless phones reprogrammed. The two-year grace period gives these customers time to return their phones to a service center for the upgrade.

     The split does not immediately affect Richmond, its surrounding metropolitan area including Petersburg, or the Northern Neck. These areas retain the 804 number. However, in about six years, a new area code will be assigned to serve the same geographic region. The overlay code will require all calls within this area to dial 10 digits (area code, plus the number).

     The new 434 area code and the future overlay code for the remaining 804 region are both expected to provide number relief for at least 20 years.

     The 804 area code was created in 1972 when it was split from Virginia's original 703 code, which served the entire state.

     The addition of 434 gives Virginia six area codes. In addition to 804, Northern Virginia has 703 and 571. Tidewater and the Eastern Shore have 757. The corridor from Virginia's northern tip to extreme Southwest Virginia has 540.

     Relief plans are currently under SCC consideration for both the 540 and 757 regions that are also in jeopardy of running out of available numbers.

CASE NUMBER - PUC990159

Map of 434/804 split