Press Release

‘223’ Assigned as New Overlay Number 717 Area Code

Published on 11/9/2016

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has received notice that the number 223 will be the overlay for the 717 area code.

The new area code designation was selected by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), Neustar, Inc., the neutral third party area code relief planner for Pennsylvania. The new 223 area code number will be assigned to new telephone numbers once the available supply of numbers in the current 717 area code is exhausted.

On Oct. 27, 2016, the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the NANPA overlay plan, based on extensive public input from throughout the 16-county region in Central Pennsylvania served by the 717 area code. The overlay area code relief option was supported by the majority of individuals who submitted written comments or testified at the PUC’s Smart Hearings, along with the telecommunications industry.

Based on current forecast predictions, the supply of phone numbers available in the 717 area code is projected to exhaust by the third quarter of 2017.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

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Docket No.: P-2015-2510230

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov