TELECOM: 760 area code split nixed in proposed decision
By BRADLEY J. FIKES - Staff Writer | ∞
A planned split of the 760 area code that would have placed North County into a new area code would be canceled under a proposed decision issued Tuesday by an administrative law judge.
Instead, existing numbers would keep their existing area code, and new numbers would be assigned to the new 442 area code, according to the proposed decision by Maribeth Bushey. She is a judge with the California Public Utilities Commission, whose five members have final say on the matter.
Calls in the 760 area code region would require entering the area code, even if the call was just across the street, under the "overlay" option Bushey endorsed.
Bushey presided over hearings earlier this month, in Victorville and in Carlsbad, on whether to cancel the split and order the overlay. She also wrote the original opinion ordering the split, adopted 4-1 by the commission on April 24.
The commission is scheduled to vote Oct. 16 on the proposed decision.
Download the proposal
"I am cautiously ecstatic," said Scott Chatfield, a Leucadia-based music producer, who organized resistance to the split through a Web site he created, Keep760.org.
The area code split would have assigned that part of San Diego County in the 760 area code to the new 442 area code. The area includes the great majority of North County's population.
Chatfield and other opponents said the split would create needless expense and confusion for business owners, who would have to order new signs, new stationery and risk losing contact with customers.
Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Solana Beach, who lobbied hard to cancel the split on behalf of North County businesses, said he was pleased by Bushey's decision. But Chatfield and Garrick said it was too early for rejoicing, because it remained to be seen if the commission will accept Bushey's ruling.
"The decision is not final yet," Garrick said. "The challenge is still there to convince them that there is new information, that there is a significant economic impact with an area code split, and I intend to press forward."
To keep the momentum going, opponents of the split plan to speak during the public comment section of an unrelated commission meeting on Thursday, Garrick said. The group will include representatives of the biotech and high-tech industries, Camp Pendleton and the real estate sector, he said.
In its April 24 vote ordering the split, the commission majority justified their decision on grounds that the rural desert areas designated to keep the 760 area code were long used to dialing just seven digits, while the North County urban population was used to dialing other area codes in San Diego County.
North County business owners protested that the split would have been expensive, inconvenient and unnecessary. Backed by local chambers of commerce and the Keep 760 coalition, they appealed to Garrick.
The assemblyman asked the commission to reopen the matter, on grounds that the original vote did not properly reflect opposition to the split in North County.
Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon, the lone member who voted against the split, supported the appeal. The commission then ordered the two hearings in Victorville and Carlsbad. Bushey, the administrative law judge, presided over both hearings, joined by Simon.
The often-emotional testimony at the Carlsbad hearing evidently had an impact on Bushey. Her decision noted that the Carlsbad hearing was attended by about 200 people, nearly all strenuously opposing the split. The Victorville hearing, in territory that would have kept the 760 area code under the split, was "sparsely attended," Bushey wrote in her decision.
Contact staff writer Bradley J. Fikes at (760) 739-6641 or bfikes@nctimes.com.
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John E wrote on Sep 16, 2008 2:38 PM:This is what happens when the PUC ignores its own history and standard procedure, which has always been to award the existing area code to the central business district, because of the high cost of area code changes for businesses. When presenting geographic split alternatives, the PUC evasively refused to disclose which area would get 442 and which would get 760.
I suppose area codes and zone-based phone call pricing are anachronisms of the last century, and it is time just to move ahead now to the obvious future of 10 (perhaps 11) digit phone numbers unconnected with geography.
Dang it wrote on Sep 16, 2008 3:19 PM:I already ordered a ton of "North County hearts the 442" bumper stickers, t-shirts, magnets, mouse pads, and coffee mugs. What am I going to do now?
I need a government bail out.
You wrote on Sep 16, 2008 4:02 PM:How come when Vista and San Marcos had to change their zip code a few years back there was no stink about that. Companies still had to change all their business cards, letter heads..Ect. Oh I know because it didn’t include Carlsbad.
But I am confused wrote on Sep 16, 2008 4:12 PM:what area code do I use for 911?
irish springs wrote on Sep 16, 2008 4:24 PM:Dear You:
You may still send your snail mail with the incorrect zip - it will be delivered.
Carlsbad had its' zip changed a couple years ago - a famous doctor once had a theory about "coastal envy" - "YOU" must have a very small pocket book to be so envious of CARLSBAD. I was against the change and I AM A PRINTER. It was not common sense and neither is your rant!
Del Sol wrote on Sep 16, 2008 4:29 PM:This is why we gotta take cali back from the gringos, now you gotta dial a area code all the time man thats lame
Alf wrote on Sep 16, 2008 8:01 PM:How many of you actually "dial" a phone, as in a rotary phone??
Regards, Alf.
Good One ALF wrote on Sep 16, 2008 9:09 PM:Thanks for the laugh - right on! Yep, all I see are yuppies pressing ONE button to rin up anyone from local to across the continent. MOST phone and I think ALL cell phones have room for hundreds of phone numbers that can be 'dialed' with the press of one button on the phone. And even redialed if busy. And soon to come, phones you just SAY the number, no fingers needed. Necessary for blind and disabled who like to 'leep in touch' too.
I also agree that the 'funny' comments are not necessary - too many folks here have nothing else to do. Life is short; go play monopoly - the Carlsbad version!
Numerologist wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:08 AM:DANG! I really liked the 442 karma. 4+4+2=10=1. 1 would have been good. Oh well........... back to I ching................
JimRT wrote on Sep 17, 2008 5:39 AM:How about just a "Thank You" to Maribeth Bushey and the other members of the PUC (regardless of how you may feel of past decisions). I think/hope they are going to do what is right.
Karl wrote on Sep 17, 2008 6:12 AM:Alf,
I still have a rotary phone hooked up in the den. It still works but I never use it except to answer sometimes. I kept it because I knew it would be an antique and conversation piece one day and I was right. The amazing thing is that I paid a fortune for it, I rented it for years before I was allowed to buy it. That could come to and end soon, if I didn't need a fax line I'd get rid of the land lines. The Mrs and I use our cell phones almost exclusively.
John wrote on Sep 17, 2008 6:56 AM:An "overlay" area code is JUST AS STUPID AS A SPLIT! What is the damned point if a person that gets a new phone number gets the new area code assigned to them, even if they are in the apt/house next door?
What if YOU have to get a new phone number-guess what area code you get? This is just a back door way to change the area code via "attrition" of new phone number assignments! And let me guess-its not gonna happen out in the Imperial Valley or Palm Springs, or Blythe, either, right? What a COMPLETE WASTED EFFORT!
Oceansider wrote on Sep 17, 2008 7:25 AM:Kudos to Scott Chatfield! You rock, dude! Thanks for your efforts on behalf of every coastal citizen.
No Wonder wrote on Sep 17, 2008 7:38 AM:our courts are backed up. This is a business issue NOT a legal issue. If you don't like the business decision, hang up!
Alf wrote on Sep 17, 2008 8:09 AM:Well, "Karl" at 6:12AM,
I suspected you might.
I used to hate dialing phone numbers that had all the numbers above 7.
Does that dial phone have the 4 prong plug?
Regards, Alf.
Alf wrote on Sep 17, 2008 8:18 AM:Well, "John" at 6:56AM,
if this is finalized as it is,
you won't have to change all your telephone's address books or your hard-copy one either.
If a new person moves in across the street, they will probably have a new number anyway.
Seeing as how you won't have to change anything regarding your current entries,
What's the big deal??
Regards, Alf.
Coast Watcher wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:59 AM:"No Wonder" -- the administrative law judge WORKS FOR THE CPUC. Her job is to hear appeals like this. No criminals are going unprosecuted because of it.
Karl wrote on Sep 17, 2008 10:21 AM:Alf,
Negative on the prong, I must have changed it years ago. It's also the ugliest pale blue/turquoise color that the era could come up with.
Question wrote on Sep 17, 2008 1:54 PM:So here is my question. What if I have a 760 area code right now. But I want to add a second, third or fourth line to my house or business will the new number now be 442?
Jim wrote on Sep 17, 2008 1:56 PM:I think the split is pretty lame. What a waste of time this has been
To all of you wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:13 PM:There's a war! Be serious, no one is dying over your stupid area code.
Karl wrote on Sep 17, 2008 5:25 PM:To all of you @ 4:13 PM:
So let's drop everything else?
Peace
Youll regret it wrote on Sep 18, 2008 11:47 AM:I know no one wanted the 442, but an overlay zone is horrible. It's not so much having to push the extra buttons to dial within the 760, but you never know if you have to dial a 1 first or not. Wait until the gazillionth time you hear that annoying series of beeps and the recorded message: "We're sorry, you must dial/It is not necessary to dial a 1 before the area code. Please hanf up and dial again." You'll be wishing you'd taken the 442.
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