Beginning Oct. 24, a ruling by the California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, will result in a new dialing procedure for all citizens in the 760 area code.
The ruling by the CPUC was designed to ensure a continuing supply of phone numbers for the North County region while allowing current 760 area code users to retain their existing telephone numbers. This is known as an area code overlay and two area codes, 760 and 442, will now serve the same region.
For background, an initial decision by the CPUC in April of 2008 would have replaced the 760 area code for North County and cost residents and businesses nearly $100 million to reprint letterhead, business cards, checks, signage and more. Additionally, our brave men and women based at Camp Pendleton, many of whom have cell phones in the 760 area code, would have been unable to continue communicating with their families while serving oversees.
Angered by the CPUC's decision to change the region's 760 area code, countless constituents in my district made their voices heard and I was pleased to lead the charge to save 760 for North County. Working with the chambers in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Vista, Escondido, San Marcos and Oceanside, I successfully challenged the CPUC's initial ruling and their decision was ultimately reversed.
Looking forward, to complete calls beginning Oct. 24, the area code must be used when dialing any telephone number, including calls within the same area code. From a landline (i.e. home or business) phone with a 760 or 442 area code, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial 1+area code+ phone number for all calls. Here is a handy checklist regarding the new area code rules.
New Dialing Rules Checklist
• Update your contact information with security and alarm companies.
• Reprogram speed dial, auto dial, modems and other telephone equipment with your 10-digit number.
• Update the contact information of friends, family, neighbors, family doctor, etc.
• Start providing your area code when you give out your phone number.
• Inform family and friends of the need to dial 10 digits.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is 10-digit dialing? 10-digit dialing requires a user to dial “1” plus the area code and phone number to place a call.
2) What was the problem with the 760 area code? According to the Public Utilities Commission, the amount of numbers available in the 760 was reaching the point of exhaustion. In order to avoid running out of numbers, an area code overlay was adopted.
3) What is an area code overlay? An overlay is the merging of two area codes into one area. Instead of splitting the 760 area code, beginning November 21, 2009, the new 442 area code will be used for all new numbers assigned.
4) Why is 10-digit dialing required for the 760? Initially, the Public Utilities Commission voted to split the 760 area code. This would have meant a new 442 area code for all North County residents. A new area code would have cost residents and businesses an estimated $100 million. Instead, the overlay option was adopted to avoid the costly change.
5) Will my rates change? No. The price of a call in your local coverage area, and other rates and services, will not change due to the overlay.
6) Will I need to change how I dial 911 or other three-digit calls? No. 911, 411 and other three-digit calls can be dialed in the same manner as they are now.
7) Will the new changes affect cell phones? Yes. Cell phones with 760 area codes will also need to dial the area code plus the telephone number whenever placing a call.
The ruling by the CPUC was designed to ensure a continuing supply of phone numbers for the North County region while allowing current 760 area code users to retain their existing telephone numbers. This is known as an area code overlay and two area codes, 760 and 442, will now serve the same region.
For background, an initial decision by the CPUC in April of 2008 would have replaced the 760 area code for North County and cost residents and businesses nearly $100 million to reprint letterhead, business cards, checks, signage and more. Additionally, our brave men and women based at Camp Pendleton, many of whom have cell phones in the 760 area code, would have been unable to continue communicating with their families while serving oversees.
Angered by the CPUC's decision to change the region's 760 area code, countless constituents in my district made their voices heard and I was pleased to lead the charge to save 760 for North County. Working with the chambers in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Vista, Escondido, San Marcos and Oceanside, I successfully challenged the CPUC's initial ruling and their decision was ultimately reversed.
Looking forward, to complete calls beginning Oct. 24, the area code must be used when dialing any telephone number, including calls within the same area code. From a landline (i.e. home or business) phone with a 760 or 442 area code, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial 1+area code+ phone number for all calls. Here is a handy checklist regarding the new area code rules.
New Dialing Rules Checklist
• Update your contact information with security and alarm companies.
• Reprogram speed dial, auto dial, modems and other telephone equipment with your 10-digit number.
• Update the contact information of friends, family, neighbors, family doctor, etc.
• Start providing your area code when you give out your phone number.
• Inform family and friends of the need to dial 10 digits.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is 10-digit dialing? 10-digit dialing requires a user to dial “1” plus the area code and phone number to place a call.
2) What was the problem with the 760 area code? According to the Public Utilities Commission, the amount of numbers available in the 760 was reaching the point of exhaustion. In order to avoid running out of numbers, an area code overlay was adopted.
3) What is an area code overlay? An overlay is the merging of two area codes into one area. Instead of splitting the 760 area code, beginning November 21, 2009, the new 442 area code will be used for all new numbers assigned.
4) Why is 10-digit dialing required for the 760? Initially, the Public Utilities Commission voted to split the 760 area code. This would have meant a new 442 area code for all North County residents. A new area code would have cost residents and businesses an estimated $100 million. Instead, the overlay option was adopted to avoid the costly change.
5) Will my rates change? No. The price of a call in your local coverage area, and other rates and services, will not change due to the overlay.
6) Will I need to change how I dial 911 or other three-digit calls? No. 911, 411 and other three-digit calls can be dialed in the same manner as they are now.
7) Will the new changes affect cell phones? Yes. Cell phones with 760 area codes will also need to dial the area code plus the telephone number whenever placing a call.