REGION: Cell phones, too, will switch to 442 area code
By BRADLEY J. FIKES - Staff Writer | ∞
All telephone numbers with a 760 area code and a prefix listed below will change to the new 442 area code. Prefixes not listed below will remain in the 760 area code.
201, 204, 207, 208, 210, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 224, 225, 230, 231, 233, 236, 237, 239, 260, 268, 270, 271,274, 277, 283, 286, 290, 291,293, 294, 295, 297.
300, 304, 305, 310, 313, 315, 317, 330, 331, 334, 338, 385, 390.
400, 402, 405, 407, 410, 414, 415, 419, 420, 421, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 438, 439, 440, 443, 444, 445, 448, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 456, 458, 465, 466, 467, 468, 470, 471, 472, 473, 476, 477, 479, 480, 481, 484, 487, 489, 492, 494, 496, 497, 498.
500, 503, 504, 505, 509, 510, 512, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 532, 533, 535, 536, 539, 542, 543, 546, 547, 551, 557, 558, 560, 566, 571, 575, 576, 579, 580, 583, 585, 586, 591, 593, 594, 597, 598, 599.
602, 603, 607, 612, 613, 615, 621, 622, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 637, 638, 639, 642, 643, 644, 645, 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, 658, 661, 666, 670, 672, 675, 681, 682, 683, 685, 687, 688, 689, 690, 692, 695, 696, 697.
703, 704, 705, 707, 708, 710, 712, 714, 715, 716, 717, 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, 730, 731, 732, 734, 735, 736, 737, 738, 739, 740, 741, 742, 743, 744, 745, 746, 747, 748, 749, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 757, 758, 759, 761, 763, 765, 767, 781, 782, 783, 787, 788, 789, 795, 796, 798.
801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 809, 814, 815, 818, 822, 823, 825, 826, 827, 828, 829, 839, 840, 842, 845, 846, 847, 850, 855, 857, 859, 860, 870, 871, 877, 884, 888, 889, 891, 892, 896,
901, 907, 908, 913, 916, 917, 918, 926, 929, 930, 931, 936, 940, 941, 942, 943, 944, 945, 966, 967, 975, 978, 986, 990, 994.
Source: North American Numbering Plan Administration.
After considerable confusion, state regulators now say the demise of the 760 area code in North County will apply to cell phones, too.
To cope with steadily growing demand for new phone numbers, the California Public Utilities Commission on April 24 imposed a new area code ---- 442 ---- on consumers in North County.
The move, which came just nine years after the region was split from the 619 designation, was preceded by little opposition among local elected officials.
However, a Leucadia resident has launched an Internet-based effort to lobby regulators to reverse their decision.
And such opposition could gain steam as the hassles of changing phone numbers sink in for local cell phone users who have grown accustomed to moving about the country while keeping their numbers.
As it stands, cell phones are scheduled to switch along with landlines from 760 to 442 beginning Nov. 8, according to state and federal regulators.
Yet the inclusion of cell phones was apparently news last week to staff members of the California Public Utilities Commission, the regulatory agency that authorized the area code split.
On Friday, a commission spokeswoman told the North County Times that cell phones would not be affected. But she retracted that statement after being contacted by the North American Numbering Plan Administration, which handles phone numbers under a federal mandate.
Quirks of how cellular and Internet phone numbers are assigned have broken the once-automatic link between a number and geography, said Joe Cocke, senior area code relief planner for the western region of the numbering plan administration.
That means the geographical maps listing areas affected by the split are not necessarily accurate. The only certain way to know a number's fate is to look up its prefix in the "planning letter" issued by the group, Cocke said. If the prefix is listed, the number will change. If not listed, the number will not change.
The "planning letter" for the 760 split is available on the administration's Web site at http://tinyurl.com/4tdm4k. Affected numbers are also listed with this article.
Confusion abounds
The new 442 area code begins on Nov. 8 as an option. Until May 16, 2009, calls using both the old and new area code will be completed normally.
From then on, calls using the old area code will not be connected. A recorded message will tell callers to hang up and dial again with the 442 area code.
There's also a chance the area code split could be changed to keep North County within the 760 region.
That's the goal of Leucadia resident Scott Chatfield, who is leading a movement to make the commission change its decision. It has a Web site at www.keep760.org.
Simple enough? Not for Oceanside businessman David Churchill, who said he got differing accounts on the area code change from telephone directory companies and his own cellular provider, Verizon Wireless, earlier this month.
Churchill, who runs a real estate appraisal business, said he wants to keep his 760 area code cell phone number. He had great difficulty finding out if his number was in the new 442 area code.
"I called Verizon, and (the representative) asked me for my prefix, 518," Churchill said. "She said, no, that won't change."
However, Churchill said he found out his number would change after contacting Cocke. He referred Churchill to the planning letter, which listed his prefix as one that will change.
Churchill said the matter was urgent because he was placing advertisements in telephone directories, and needed to know which number to use.
The directories are to be delivered in August, well before the split is to take effect.
A second call to another Verizon Wireless representative was no more satisfactory, Churchill said.
"He said the change was pending," Churchill said. "He couldn't tell me whether or not my prefix was going to change."
Ken Muche, a Verizon Wireless spokesman, said cell phone numbers will be included in the area code split.
Churchill said he was incorrectly told by a telephone directory company, Yellow Book, that his cellular number would not change. But after calling back, he said, the company said the number would change.
"It all depends on whom you talk to," said Churchill, who decided to list both his old and new numbers.
Churchill said the company told him that adding a line to his ad giving the new number will cost him an extra $9 a month.
Geography not a guide
Verizon and other wireless carriers favored another option over the split: an "overlay" that would keep current numbers intact, and give the 442 area code to new numbers. The Public Utilities Commission rejected that alternative in favor of a geographic split.
However, a geographic split isn't the neat and tidy thing it used to be. Cell phone and pager numbers are by definition not tied to a geographical location the way traditional landline phones are, Cocke said.
And even landline numbers are mobile, if they operate through "voice over IP" Internet telephone technology.
Just as e-mails can be sent from anywhere a location is hooked up to the Internet, so can Internet telephone calls be made from any location with Internet access.
Businesses with Internet telephone service may get numbers with area codes far away from their physical location, to make it easier to do business with customers in that area.
This mixture of technologies can create some curious scenarios.
Both cellular and Internet phone numbers remain technically assigned by geography to the area code and the prefix.
And the prefix determines which numbers are assigned to a new area code, Cocke said.
So when a split occurs, all the cellular and Internet numbers in a prefix move along with the landline numbers.
Since cell phone customers usually have the choice of keeping their numbers when they move, some apparent exceptions to this rule can emerge.
A cell phone customer living in North County whose prefix is not on the 442 list will remain in the 760 area code.
Or, a customer could move out of North County and keep the 760 number. The customer could even live in another state.
But if the prefix is on the list, then the customer will get the 442 area code when the split occurs.
Gary Collins, of Temecula, kept his old area code for his cell phone in 2004 when Southwest Riverside County was given its own area code of 951.
Collins said the cell number originally belonged to a company he worked for. When he left the company, it agreed to let him keep the number. The number's prefix, 730, is not on that planning letter's list. It's assigned to Ontario, well out of the area designated for the 951 split.
Whatever the inconvenience an area code change causes, you won't pay extra for phone calls, Cocke said.
"The area code change will not cause the cost of a call to change," Cocke said. "Local calls will still remain local calls."
Contact staff writer Bradley J. Fikes at (760) 739-6641 or bfikes@nctimes.com.
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Cool With It wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:26 PM:I think it is going to be so cool to have a 442 area code. Kinda of reminds me of the old Oldsmobile 442, which was a high performance car. That, and the last three digits of my house phone are 442. It is just so cool and easy to remember, and so with it. It will encompass Julian, Borrego, and all the ocean in North County. Where else has such geographic diversity and coolness? Nowhere else! We will be an exclusive club, man. I can dig it. I am so stoked.
Alf wrote on Jul 2, 2008 5:00 AM:Well, "Cool With It" at 8:26PM, I'm not, in fact I'm exceedingly peeved and have emailed the CPUC. The Olds "442" stood for "4" barrel carburetor, "4" speed transmission, "2" as in dual exhaust, if my memory serves me correctly. Regards, Alf.
McDonalds wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:14 AM:I suppose these clowns at the PUC lost their jobs with the famous hamburger house? Cool, I suppose you're diggin the price of gas too eh?
phil wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:39 AM:article has wrong url and no list as stated. good job.
Scott from Carlsbad wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:54 AM:The link http://tinyurl.com/senior does not work. Can we get a link that works please? This area code change is not something I am looking forward to.
John E wrote on Jul 2, 2008 7:02 AM:First the PUC violates its own venerable and economically sensible policy of awarding the existing area code to the urban core, then it gets confused regarding cell phones.
An alternative play would have been to leave all land lines on 760 and to move all cell phones to 442. Just a thought ...
Get it over with wrote on Jul 2, 2008 7:09 AM:I'm not in favor of the 442 being pushed on North County given that in past splits the larger metros typically retained the code and a new one was issued to the outlying region; however, this time, they took a different approach and are letting the inland empire retain the 760 while forcing the metro to go with 442.
Obviously, the CPUC forgot what PUBLIC stood for in their decision. This move has a greater impact on the metro areas vs. the impact it would have had on the rural region.
Hmmm.... wrote on Jul 2, 2008 7:23 AM:So now I have to tell prospective employers they may reach me at 1-HIB-345-XXXX, HIB as in HIB Disease, once again that number is 1-HIB as in the disease-345-XXXX? Sounds to me like the HIB victims might have a case against the State.
jim wrote on Jul 2, 2008 7:30 AM:cool with it obviously does not have a business tied to his years with the same phone number. What about the firms that have 6 or more ring down numbers all that will change. So easy to do the overlay. O well like all else our government agencys do. No regards for cost to the people they represent.
JSten wrote on Jul 2, 2008 7:31 AM:The mechanics and policies of managing a phone system are just too complex and soophisiticated for the common citizen to comprehend. You should just take what comes and be glad
Billy wrote on Jul 2, 2008 7:36 AM:That's good to know, however, the words I choose to use in reference to all concerned with making the change from 760 to 442 are unusable here; however, they remain in place forever. That place is in cyberspace hovering just over their heads and down around their shoulders. Those words are easy to use when I am alone, and they roll off my tongue easily like 760 does. 442 is so clumsy coming over my lips that I refuse to say it, and from now on I will say it four forty two.
I know the people concerned know what those words are, and will be able to feel the weight of them forever - every time they have to use the four forty two.
I have lived here many years and can't remember all the area codes, however, the furthest back I can remember is 714, then 619, then 760.
All of this contempt I have for those people doubles each time I remember that they said that the reason they pick our area code to change was that we laid down and took it so easy the last time - so on to your shoulders and head with all those words - for your life time.
lucki wrote on Jul 2, 2008 7:44 AM:Why can't you say 442-345-XXXX?
Why in the world would you need to reference a childhood disease?!
You must be joking, right?
I wish we weren't changing area codes but it won't be that bad. It has happened before and it will happen again. You have over a year to get used to it. At least there won't be on overlay. What a disaster!
Hey NCT Story for U wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:18 AM:Just called NCTD, to see when the Longs Drug Store would get the handicap bus passes. They informed me that alot of the chain stores weren't going to carry the passes because school is out???? Something new, they did carry the passes the previous summers. They said all disbaled wheelchair bound riders have to go to the transit centers to get their passes, even though alot of riders never have reason to go to the transit centers. This sounds like a major discrimination act if I ever heard of one.
To Lucki wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:19 AM:Not joking at all, I have a child with HIB Disease(442)and we will sue!
Cheryl wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:21 AM:Please post the correct url. Don't you check these out before printing them? What other misinformation are you giving us?
lady wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:22 AM:This code change IS too much!! The only reason it is happening is because someone is making MONEY on it!! PERIOD!! New customers "should" get new area code. Period,it's NOT hard folks.
Iam SO tired of the government,etc.,etc running our lives. We are ALL having enough money problems with what is going on in this world right now!!
AJ wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:54 AM:I've been saying for years...pagers{when they were the rage}, cell phones, and fax machines should have one area code for the entire state. That alone should have greatly helped the situation, which now has become a joke. Leave our area code alone in NC. We've had it change enough!
Chris Bagley -- Staff Writer wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:58 AM:Hi, I'm a reporter at the newspaper. Thank you, Phil, for alerting us to the tinyurl link. I believe the planning letter can be found at tinyurl(dot)com/4tdm4k. We're double-checking, and if need be will change the link in the text of the article.
Ranee wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:03 AM:Your article by Bradley Fikes on the area code split listed an incorrect email address to get to the "planning letter" to find out which prefixes will be changing.
To Chris Bagley wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:12 AM:Hi, I'm a reader of this newspaper. Thank you for your assistance.
Scott from Carlsbad wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:18 AM:Thanks Chris Bagley for stepping up and getting us the correct link.
dmr wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:27 AM:I think it's time to completely unlink area code from geography. Switch all phones to a 10 digit number comprised of their current area code plus their 7 digit phone number. That would eliminate ever having to change an area code again. Since speed-dial is fairly pervasive, having to use 10 digits vs 7 digits should have a minimal impact. Downside is that you wouldn't be able to use area code to tell that you are calling long distance any more but I don't really see that being much of an issue.
Umm.. wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:53 AM:It's time to rise up against this bunk. This whole thing is just a slap in the face. "We're used to dialing more aera codes" Get stuffed! The major economical area is here, leave the area code here. Simple. Get these unelected fools out of here, if you have to do it by way of the elected ones, then do it. Make your voice heard now.
Stephan wrote on Jul 2, 2008 10:33 AM:For those of you who want to register their discontent with our local representatives, you should go to keep760.org. They have an online form letter that you can send from the site and it will automatically send it to our four elected officials.
The representatives have stated that until they started receiving emails from this site, that they were unaware that so many people would be unhappy with this plan.
We need more people to send mail to show how we REALLY feel about this issue.
If you were like me, you did not even hear about this proposed changed until it had already been adopted.
Ask wrote on Jul 2, 2008 11:04 AM:Glad I still have my 925 area code on my cell phone.
Whats the use of being able to keep your number with your cell phone if they can come and steal it back from you?
no code change wrote on Jul 2, 2008 11:06 AM:palm springs, imperial, borrego get the 442 code. NC stays 760. look at an area code geography map, over 60% of the area covered is outside of NC. get the the program.
Change is tough wrote on Jul 2, 2008 11:21 AM:for some. Memorizing three new numbers is difficult for some but if you try it isn't that hard. Pretend you are voting for Obama or you voted for our current Dem control Congress under the gise of CHANGE.
esteban wrote on Jul 2, 2008 1:57 PM:Nobody likes change but after it is done the crying will eventually stop. LOL get over it, you will survive.
It would be HOT wrote on Jul 2, 2008 2:21 PM:to have the area code 666.
Alf wrote on Jul 2, 2008 2:41 PM:Well, "Change is tough" at 11:21AM, if it was simply remembering three different numbers, that would be grumpily acceptable, for residential customers with no phones except a land-line. Now it gets a little worse, I have a cell, my wife has a cell, we have a land-line, each phone has its own directory, everyone we know needs to know the new area code and don't forget the web page. You want it REAL bad, try being a business with cards, stationery, forms, website, multiple land-lines including fax line(s), company cell phones, ads in various periodicals, yellow pages ads, client lists and on and on and on and on, $$$$$$$$$$$ and more $$$$$$$$$$. The area with the highest concentration and greatest number of businesses should NOT be the area to have their number changed. Regards, Alf.
JD wrote on Jul 2, 2008 3:02 PM:How much time and money is going to be spent by business and individuals to change all their numbers, printed materials, updating all their bills for land and cell lines? Don't change the bulk area using 760, change the less populated outlying areas or make all NEW #'s use 442! Why is Maribeth Bushey pushing this when she live in Marin anyway??
loved our car wrote on Jul 2, 2008 3:06 PM:Alf at 2:41 PM speaks for us.
Our 442 car was cool.
Our 442 area code is typical political - government stupidity.
thanks Alf wrote on Jul 2, 2008 3:15 PM:Well said .
To estaban wrote on Jul 2, 2008 3:52 PM:Its not about change. Its about being able to stay connected with people.
How am I suppose to know what is going on with all area codes???
I should be able to stay in contact with associates this week, next year and 10 years from now as long as they dont change their number.
What will be the new area wrote on Jul 2, 2008 4:20 PM:code for 911?
liberaljim wrote on Jul 2, 2008 4:38 PM:For crying out loud, grow up folks. Your neighbors are losing their homes and their jobs, our young folks are dying in two wars, the dollar is worth half what it was 5 years ago, and gas is nearly 5 bucks a gallon, a bargain compared to what it will be a next year. Why don't you focus your anger on something that really matters.
Karl wrote on Jul 2, 2008 4:39 PM:Right on Alf. I own a small construction company and this is going to cost me a fortune. At least it will be deductible. Oops, I own a business, that means that I'm rich and don't pay enough taxes in the eyes of some. So much for the deduction. I guess I'll take my beating like a man and then pass the beating on to my clents.
aye way wrote on Jul 2, 2008 4:57 PM:So, will the government give me a hand out so I can pay to have new cards, stickers, calanders, pens, invoices, signs, ads, checks and everything else made? This is ridiculous, there are too many people in north county to have the area code changed. Make El Centro change theirs, I'm sure they can figure it out.
me wrote on Jul 2, 2008 5:00 PM:Well put JD (3:02 PM:) Since we all agree that indeed we are running out of numbers it only makes sense for the new customer who are receiving new phone numbers whether they are business, home or cell numbers they should be the ones with the new area code. This would save thousands and thousands of dollars specially to all current business that have to change all of their stationary. But then again it’s only "me" speaking out my mind.
Paula wrote on Jul 2, 2008 5:18 PM:If the powers that be don't want to compromise in a way that will help businesses - i.e. either make the change only for residential numbers and all new numbers or just all new numbers, perhaps we can get them to concent to leaving the notification message about the area code change on the system permanently (rather than the current temporary time frame scheduled). At least that way businesses won't have to 1)throw out current printed materials and 2)risk losing business from clients who have their cards from months or years before the change, but can no longer reach them.
MIB wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:17 PM:All Hail Alf! Your the Greatest in the whole wide world. Alf, We think your swell. Mrs. Alf must be so lucky. All hail Alf. Oh, Great leader Alf, Please close the locker door when you go. MIB 3
When they change wrote on Jul 3, 2008 6:32 AM:the area code and after the time has expired that the recording tells the calling party your new number, call up politicans and tell them you want to donate a million dollars to their re-election and give your old area code.
Mark wrote on Jul 3, 2008 12:30 PM:It is the first 3 digits off your number that is changing. You will have almost two years to deal with it. 1st year, permissive dialing, 2nd year system alert (usually takes that long before they reassign your old exchange. I understand for business it is a hassle, but I have been thru this 4x's It really never cost any extra because when I order new supplies I just replace the code. I have a feeling it will be a overlay next.
Hey Alf wrote on Jul 6, 2008 11:29 PM:I see you have another opinion. I shouldn't be surprised though, everyone has one and something else if I recall the saying. And, by the way, from what bar did you steal your "refer to rule one" quote that you seem to be trying to pass off as another profound Alfism.
Eric wrote on Jul 12, 2008 2:00 PM:I don't have a problem with the area code split -- it's going to happen sometime, and I'd rather have a new area code than have an overlay where I need to dial eleven digits just to call the house next door. My only problem with this split is that the new area code is 442. All the area codes nearby are larger numbers -- 951, 949, 909, 858, 760, 714, 619 -- but the new one starts with a 4? I don't know, it just seems so . . . weak. There are better options: 960, 945, 921, 871, 861, 820 . . . we shouldn't be saddled with this "442" crap. Save it for a small state.
Tommy wrote on Sep 17, 2008 5:05 PM:The overlay would make us dial the 1 and arecode first, 11 digits on every local call. The split like the CPUC said is the best. The guy with the website doesn't talk much about this.
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