The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce led the way to ensure North County could keep the 760 area code, saving local businesses millions of dollars.
On Oct. 16, the California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, unanimously voted to reverse its original decision and adopt an overlay for the 760 area code instead of the previously approved split of 760 to 442. This means is if you already have a 760 phone number, you will keep your number with no changes; new customers will be assigned a 442 area code.
Gina McBride, chair elect of the chamber's board of directors, and Michael Babowal, director of government affairs for the chamber, attended the CPUC hearing to testify on the behalf of many chamber members. If the CPUC hadn't reversed its original decision, most of coastal North County would've changed from the 760 area code to 442.
The cost to Carlsbad Chamber members alone to produce new marketing materials, such as business cards and letterhead, would have been at least $4.25 million. The minimum for all of the businesses with a license in Carlsbad would have been $12.5 million.
The Carlsbad Chamber has been working on this issue since it was originally proposed in 2006, and with your support and the efforts of Assemblyman Martin Garrick, we have achieved the almost impossible.
“I'm incredibly pleased that the CPUC adopted the overlay plan for the 760 area code. This decision will bring a documented savings of over $100 million to North County residents and businesses, and is consistent with other area code changes that have been implemented throughout the state and nation,” Garrick said. “I'm glad that our voices were heard, and that our efforts and the hard work of the chambers of commerce and private citizens did not go unnoticed.”
The Carlsbad Chamber still needs your help to pay for its attorney fees, which will total approximately $30,000. If every member of the chamber donated just $10, we could raise almost $17,000.
There are some important dates you need to know regarding the overlay.
Starting May 2, permissive dialing will begin, meaning you can still dial seven digits to reach a 760 number. On Oct. 24, mandatory dialing will begin, meaning you have to start dialing 1-760 to make a local call. The new 442 area code overlay goes into effect next year on Nov. 21, meaning all new numbers will be given a 442 dialing code.
On Oct. 16, the California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, unanimously voted to reverse its original decision and adopt an overlay for the 760 area code instead of the previously approved split of 760 to 442. This means is if you already have a 760 phone number, you will keep your number with no changes; new customers will be assigned a 442 area code.
Gina McBride, chair elect of the chamber's board of directors, and Michael Babowal, director of government affairs for the chamber, attended the CPUC hearing to testify on the behalf of many chamber members. If the CPUC hadn't reversed its original decision, most of coastal North County would've changed from the 760 area code to 442.
The cost to Carlsbad Chamber members alone to produce new marketing materials, such as business cards and letterhead, would have been at least $4.25 million. The minimum for all of the businesses with a license in Carlsbad would have been $12.5 million.
The Carlsbad Chamber has been working on this issue since it was originally proposed in 2006, and with your support and the efforts of Assemblyman Martin Garrick, we have achieved the almost impossible.
“I'm incredibly pleased that the CPUC adopted the overlay plan for the 760 area code. This decision will bring a documented savings of over $100 million to North County residents and businesses, and is consistent with other area code changes that have been implemented throughout the state and nation,” Garrick said. “I'm glad that our voices were heard, and that our efforts and the hard work of the chambers of commerce and private citizens did not go unnoticed.”
The Carlsbad Chamber still needs your help to pay for its attorney fees, which will total approximately $30,000. If every member of the chamber donated just $10, we could raise almost $17,000.
There are some important dates you need to know regarding the overlay.
Starting May 2, permissive dialing will begin, meaning you can still dial seven digits to reach a 760 number. On Oct. 24, mandatory dialing will begin, meaning you have to start dialing 1-760 to make a local call. The new 442 area code overlay goes into effect next year on Nov. 21, meaning all new numbers will be given a 442 dialing code.