Press Release

PUC Considers Recent Neustar Announcement; Plans Future Action on 814 Area Code Relief

Published on 3/1/2011

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is reviewing a recent announcement by third party area code relief planner, Neustar, and will plan formal action concerning the impact of this information on the 814 area code relief matter at an upcoming regularly scheduled Public Meeting.

Following a request by the Commission for Neustar to analyze the projected exhaust date of “NXX” codes (which is the second set of three digits in a 10-digit telephone number (NPA-NXX-XXXX)) in the 814 area code, Neustar informed the Commission that the new projected exhaust date is the first quarter of 2015, not the first quarter of 2013.  The change in projected exhaust dates could be attributed to a variety of factors, including numbering conservation, which the Commission mandates in all area code relief cases.  The Commission monitors carrier participation by how many numbers each carrier is permitted to obtain.  Instead of a carrier being assigned a 10,000 block of numbers, a carrier is allowed a 1,000 block of numbers.

Comments can still be filed in the case and the public is encouraged to attend any scheduled public input hearings, which will be announced at a future date. An original and 15 copies of written comments should be sent to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, Attn: Secretary, P.O. Box 3265, Harrisburg, PA 17105-3265. Interested parties may also e-file comments.  For general questions, you can contact the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services at 1-800-692-7380.

On Jan. 13, 2011, the Commission granted the more than 40 petitions for reconsideration filed with the Commission pending review of the merits of the petitions.  The Commission also approved a joint motion by Commissioner Tyrone J. Christy and Vice Chairman John Fr. Coleman Jr. to reopen the record in the case to gather more information through technical conferences and additional public input hearings.

The PUC held a comment period, followed by public input hearings throughout the 814 area code in 2010, in response to the June 2009 North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) petition for area code relief.  On Dec. 16, 2010, the Commission said the geographic split was more practical for the 814 area code because of the geographic size of the 814 area code and the location of population centers.  With the geographic split, consumers may continue to dial seven digits for local calling.  The other option available to the Commission - an overlay - would have covered the entire 814 area code with a new area code and required 10-digit-dialing throughout a large geographic area in Pennsylvania.

NANPA has assigned 582 as the new area code for portions of the current 814 area code west of Jefferson, Elk and McKean counties.  The boundary runs in a north/south direction east of Shinglehouse, Wilcox, Kersey, Dubois and Sykesville rate centers.  A Frequently Asked Questions fact sheet and a 582/814 proposed exchanges map are available on the Commission's website. 

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-2009-2112925

Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov