Press Release

PUC Announces Deadline for Comments on 717 Area Code Renumbering Plan

Published on 1/12/2010

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today announced the deadline for interested parties to comment on the proposal designed to ensure adequate numbering resources in the 717 area code.

The North American Numbering Plan Administrator, “NeuStar Inc” (Neustar), which is the neutral third party Number Planning Area (NPA) relief planner for Pennsylvania, petitioned the PUC on behalf of Pennsylvania’s telecommunications industry because the 717 area code is projected to run out of telephone numbers. New area codes are needed when existing area codes exhaust their supply of “NXX” codes (which is the second set of three digits in a 10-digit telephone number, NPA-NXX-XXXX).

In view of the well-documented disruption to customers caused by changes in their area code, the Commission voted on Dec. 17, 2009, to seek comments from consumers, the industry and other interested parties involved regarding the final area code decision. Hearings that the public can attend and offer comments on the plans also will be held in the future.

Interested parties must file comments by Feb. 23, 2010. An original and 10 copies should be marked with the appropriate docket number (see below) and submitted to:

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

Attention Secretary

P.O. Box 3265

Harrisburg, PA  17105

 The PUC’s goal is to ensure that numbering resources are made available on an equitable, efficient and timely basis in Pennsylvania while ensuring that the impact of proliferating new area codes on consumers is as minimal as possible. 

The 717 area code is expected to exhaust its supply of telephone numbers by the third quarter of 2012.  Six relief alternatives are suggested for ensuring adequate number resources. The alternatives include an overlay of a new area code and various geographic splits of the existing area code. More specifics on the different plans can be found the PUC’s website – PUC Order.

The petition filed by Neustar before the PUC recommended an “overlay” plan, which means once the existing telephone numbers in the 717 area code are exhausted, new telephone services in that geographic region would be assigned telephone numbers out of the new area code. Ten-digit local dialing would then apply to all telephone calls.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No. P-2009-2136951

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722