Press Release

PUC Suspends Implementation of 814 Area Code Relief

Published on 1/17/2012

Filed under: Telecommunications

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) announced it will continue to suspend the implementation of area code relief in the 814 region because the projected exhaust date has been extended until first quarter 2016. The chart of projected exhaust dates released in October 2011 is available here.  The Commission has reviewed the projected exhaust date released in October 2011 and has determined that a continuation of the suspended implementation schedule is warranted at this time.  The suspension will continue until at least April 2012, when the Commission is scheduled to receive updated projected exhaust dates for the 814 area code.  

While the Commission believes that the need for area code relief has not been eliminated entirely in the 814 area code, the immediacy for the implementation of timely area code relief in the 814 area code continues to diminish.  The Commission’s recent review of the area code indicates that the 814 area code has experienced a more efficient use of telephone numbers in recent years because of a decrease in the demand for numbers and continued Commission efforts to conserve numbering resources. 

“The 814 area code relief projections do not meet the federal criteria for withdrawal of the plan in its entirety, because  the area code is not at least five years from exhaust.  At the same time, the Commission truly understands that the proliferation of new area codes before they are necessary is detrimental to both residential and business consumers and the telecommunications industry,” stressed Vice Chairman John F. Coleman. 

On Dec. 16, 2010, the PUC approved a plan to split the 814 area code along geographic boundaries to avoid running out of phone numbers, creating a new area code for customers in portions of northwestern Pennsylvania.  Neustar chose 582 as the new area code for the Northwestern part of PA.  The Commission’s initial decision considered the June 2009 petition submitted by the telecommunications industry as well as public input and comments on the appropriate area code relief for the 814 NPA.  In January 2011, the Commission received more than 40 petitions for reconsideration to its December 2010 area code relief decision.  In March 2011, the Commission reopened the record on the case and received testimony during additional technical conferences and public input hearings conducted over several months. The petitions for reconsideration as well as the numerous comments are pending at the Commission while the PUC further reviews the numbering resources available in the 814 region. 

 A Frequently Asked Questions fact sheet and map of the proposed 814/582 exchanges are available on the PUC website. Relief alternatives include an overlay of a new area code and various geographic splits of the existing area code running east to west, north to south or northeast to southeast. 

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