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New 669 area code kicks in Oct. 20Oct 11, 2012 (Sunnyvale Sun - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Making a local phone call is going to take a few extra finger taps for those living within the 408, thanks to the arrival of the 669 area code. Beginning Oct. 20, 11-digit dialing will be required for all direct dialed calls made within the 408 and 669 area codes, as well as between other area codes. This includes 11-digit dialing for local calls, even to your next-door neighbor. The requirement comes a year after the California Public Utilities Commission added the 669 area code to the same geographic region as the existing 408 area code in order to provide additional telephone numbers to meet increasing consumer demand. An overlay allows multiple area codes to coexist within the same geographic region. Adding the 669 was done to ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers. The move is coming just in time as the North American Numbering Plan Administration predicts the 408 area code will run out of numbers in the first quarter of 2013. Existing telephone customers will not be required to change their area code or telephone numbers. The new area code has been in effect since April 21; however, mandatory dialing begins Oct. 20. Phone numbers with the 669 area code are expected to be handed out in mid-November to those seeking new lines. The 408 area code is predominantly in Santa Clara County, as well as neighboring cities and small unincorporated portions of Alameda and Santa Cruz counties. In addition to Cupertino, the 408 area code includes San Jose, Campbell, Sunnyvale, Gilroy, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and a portion of Palo Alto. Area codes were first introduced to California in 1947. The region now served by the 408 area code was originally part of the 415 area code, one of the first three area codes in the state, according to the CPUC. In June 1959, the 408 area code was created by splitting the 415 area code. In 1997, San Benito County and most of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties were split from the 408 area code and assigned the 831 area code. To prepare for the overlay, residents and businesses in the 408 region are recommended to notify alarm service providers, reprogram phone equipment like auto-dialers and call forwarding devices, and alert family, friends and business contacts to dial "1 " plus the area code and telephone number for all calls. It's also suggested that businesses update items such as stationery, checks, business cards, advertisements, promotional items, web pages and catalogs to reflect the 11-digit requirement. Telephone users will still be able to dial three digits to reach 911, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811. Over the past 10 years, California and other states have implemented approximately 54 area code overlays throughout the United States, according to the CPUC. For more information about the California Public Utilities Commission, visit www.cpuc.ca.gov. ___ (c)2012 the Sunnyvale Sun (San Jose, Calif.) Visit the Sunnyvale Sun (San Jose, Calif.) at www.mercurynews.com/sunnyvale Distributed by MCT Information Services |