I'm thinking it would be I-95 given the population density in the east, BUT, you do have transcontinental routes like I-90 and I-10 that might hit just as many...
95:
60 (207, 603, 978/351, 617/857, 781/339, 508/774, 401, 860/959, 203/475, 914, 212/332/646/917, 201/551, 973/862, 908, 732/848, 215/267/445, 610/484, 302, 410/443/667, 301/240, 202, 703/571, 540, 804, 434, 252, 919/984, 910, 843/854, 912, 904, 386, 407, 772, 561, 954/754, 305/786)
90:
39 (206, 425, 509, 208/986, 406, 307, 605, 507, 608, 815/779, 847/224, 773/872, 312, 219, 574, 260, 419/567, 440, 216, 814, 716, 585, 315/680 (why did they waste a low number), 518/838, 413 (another low number wasted), 508/774, 781/339, 617/857)
10: 39 (310/424, 213/323, 626, 909, 951, 760/442, 928, 623, 602, 480, 520, 575, 915, 432, 325, 830, 210/726, 361, 979, 731, 281/346/832, 409, 337, 225, 985, 504, 601/779, 228 (really, you had to make it that small?), 251, 850, 386, 904)
Side note: do all six of New Jersey's area codes (ignoring overlays) go blue?
Since 90 and 95 have been done, I'll do the closest x0 and x5 to me: 70 and 75
I-70
UT: 435
CO: 970, 303/720, 719
KS: 785, 913
MO: 816, 660, 573, 636, 314
IL: 618, 217/447
IN: 812/930, 765, 317
OH: 326/937, 380/614, 220/740
WV: 304/681
PA: 724, 814, 717
MD: 240/301, 410/443/667
Total: 35
I-75
FL: 305/786, 239, 941, 813, 352, 386
GA: 229, 478, 678/770, 404, 706
TN: 423, 865
KY: 606, 859, 502
OH: 513, 326/937, 419/567
MI: 734, 313, 248/947, 810, 989, 231, 906
Total: 31
I-35 (24)
MN: 218, 320, 651, 763, 612, 952, 507
IA: 641, 515
MO: 660, 816
KS: 913, 785, 316, 620
OK: 580, 405/572
TX: 940, 682/817, 214/469/972, 254, 512, 210, 830
Quote from: 1 on March 11, 2021, 09:29:30 PM
95:
60 (207, 603, 978/351, 617/857, 781/339, 508/774, 401, 860/959, 203/475, 914, 212/332/646/917, 201/551, 973/862, 908, 732/848, 215/267/445, 610/484, 302, 410/443/667, 301/240, 202, 703/571, 540, 804, 434, 252, 919/984, 910, 843/854, 912, 904, 386, 407, 772, 561, 954/754, 305/786)
90:
39 (206, 425, 509, 208/986, 406, 307, 605, 507, 608, 815/779, 847/224, 773/872, 312, 219, 574, 260, 419/567, 440, 216, 814, 716, 585, 315/680 (why did they waste a low number), 518/838, 413 (another low number wasted), 508/774, 781/339, 617/857)
10: 39 (310/424, 213/323, 626, 909, 951, 760/442, 928, 623, 602, 480, 520, 575, 915, 432, 325, 830, 210/726, 361, 979, 731, 281/346/832, 409, 337, 225, 985, 504, 601/779, 228 (really, you had to make it that small?), 251, 850, 386, 904)
Side note: do all six of New Jersey's area codes (ignoring overlays) go blue?
The "wasted" area codes are either the original numbers from x01 to x19. or picked to not get too close to another similar number.
Just read a bit of the original area codes system. So the area code numbers were based on how many dials you do on a rotary phone, which is the digits of an area code added up, with 10 for 0. For example, for 212, 2+1+2=5, which is the smallest, and for the largest city. And the x0x area codes were for full states, like how all of Washington state was 206.
With the 1950 census metro area population (the area codes were established in 1947, so I rounded up to 1950), this is ideally how they would be laid out up to 11 dials, excluding cities that were part of a full state area code (x0x):
212 (5 dials): NYC
213, 312 (6 dials): Chicago, Los Angeles
214, 313, 412 (7 dials): Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston
215, 314, 413, 512 (8 dials): San Francisco, Pittsburgh, St Louis, Cleveland
216, 315, 414, 513, 612 (9 dials): Minneapolis, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Kansas City
217, 316, 415, 514, 613, 712 (10 dials): Houston, Dallas, Indianapolis, San Diego, Youngstown, Albany
218, 317, 416, 515, 614, 713, 812 (11 dials): Columbus, San Antonio, Rochester (NY), Allentown, Springfield (MA), Toledo, Ft Worth
I'll do I-5 since it's nearest me.
WA: 360, 425, 206, 253
OR: 503/971, 541/458
CA: 530, 916/279, 209, 559, 661, 626, 213/323, 714/657, 949, 760, 858, 619
23
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 11, 2021, 10:45:49 PMAnd the x0x area codes were for full states, like how all of Washington state was 206.
Wisconsin had three original area codes, one of which is 608. And the upper peninsula of Michigan is 906.
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 11, 2021, 10:45:49 PM
Just read a bit of the original area codes system. So the area code numbers were based on how many dials you do on a rotary phone, which is the digits of an area code added up, with 10 for 0. For example, for 212, 2+1+2=5, which is the smallest, and for the largest city. And the x0x area codes were for full states, like how all of Washington state was 206.
With the 1950 census metro area population (the area codes were established in 1947, so I rounded up to 1950), this is ideally how they would be laid out up to 11 dials, excluding cities that were part of a full state area code (x0x):
212 (5 dials): NYC
213, 312 (6 dials): Chicago, Los Angeles
214, 313, 412 (7 dials): Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston
215, 314, 413, 512 (8 dials): San Francisco, Pittsburgh, St Louis, Cleveland
216, 315, 414, 513, 612 (9 dials): Minneapolis, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Kansas City
217, 316, 415, 514, 613, 712 (10 dials): Houston, Dallas, Indianapolis, San Diego, Youngstown, Albany
218, 317, 416, 515, 614, 713, 812 (11 dials): Columbus, San Antonio, Rochester (NY), Allentown, Springfield (MA), Toledo, Ft Worth
That's really interesting!
I think 360 in Washington was the first not to have a 1 or 0 in the middle. Interestingly enough, it's the only one that is broken into two segments. Most of southwestern Washington and then north of Seattle
It's kind of funny how area codes really aren't necessary anymore with mobile technology.
My wife and I still have our 949 numbers. No need to change them.
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 11, 2021, 10:56:34 PM
That's really interesting!
I think 360 in Washington was the first not to have a 1 or 0 in the middle. Interestingly enough, it's the only one that is broken into two segments. Most of southwestern Washington and then north of Seattle
And Illinois was up there with 630.
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 11, 2021, 10:56:34 PM
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 11, 2021, 10:45:49 PM
Just read a bit of the original area codes system. So the area code numbers were based on how many dials you do on a rotary phone, which is the digits of an area code added up, with 10 for 0. For example, for 212, 2+1+2=5, which is the smallest, and for the largest city. And the x0x area codes were for full states, like how all of Washington state was 206.
With the 1950 census metro area population (the area codes were established in 1947, so I rounded up to 1950), this is ideally how they would be laid out up to 11 dials, excluding cities that were part of a full state area code (x0x):
212 (5 dials): NYC
213, 312 (6 dials): Chicago, Los Angeles
214, 313, 412 (7 dials): Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston
215, 314, 413, 512 (8 dials): San Francisco, Pittsburgh, St Louis, Cleveland
216, 315, 414, 513, 612 (9 dials): Minneapolis, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Kansas City
217, 316, 415, 514, 613, 712 (10 dials): Houston, Dallas, Indianapolis, San Diego, Youngstown, Albany
218, 317, 416, 515, 614, 713, 812 (11 dials): Columbus, San Antonio, Rochester (NY), Allentown, Springfield (MA), Toledo, Ft Worth
That’s really interesting!
I think 360 in Washington was the first not to have a 1 or 0 in the middle. Interestingly enough, it’s the only one that is broken into two segments. Most of southwestern Washington and then north of Seattle
First of all, I forgot that Canada also uses the same area code system as the US when doing my metro areas list above :banghead:
I found a map of the original 1947 area codes plan. Note that there were things called "flash-cuts" right after this map, which were new area codes that were added pretty early on. Like with Washington, 509 was added in 1957 as a flash cut from 206.
(https://i.imgur.com/JghPMbm.png)
Note that 614 and 513 are flipped on that map for some reason, 513 is supposed to be in Southwest OH.
Quote from: 1 on March 11, 2021, 09:29:30 PM
95:
60 (207, 603, 978/351, 617/857, 781/339, 508/774, 401, 860/959, 203/475, 914, 212/332/646/917, 201/551, 973/862, 908, 732/848, 215/267/445, 610/484, 302, 410/443/667, 301/240, 202, 703/571, 540, 804, 434, 252, 919/984, 910, 843/854, 912, 904, 386, 407, 772, 561, 954/754, 305/786)
Even with the re-route, it still passes through a piece of 609/840.
The eastern I-84 is interesting. Passes through 9 area codes eastbound (570/272, 845, 203/475, 860/959, and 508/774), but 10 westbound, as the westbound lanes clip the town of Holland, MA, which is part of Hampden County and the 413 just before crossing into CT. Meanwhile the eastbound lanes pass directly into Sturbridge, which is in Worcester County and the 508/774
I-91 passes through twice as many area codes in CT (4) than the rest of its route (413 in MA and 802 in VT). One of its children, I-691, crosses the 203/860 divide twice, and its ending split at I-84 takes you into 860 if you exit eastbound but remains in 203 if you're going westbound.
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 11, 2021, 10:59:19 PM
It's kind of funny how area codes really aren't necessary anymore with mobile technology.
My wife and I still have our 949 numbers. No need to change them.
We were issued 612 area codes despite not acquiring our phones in that area code, or even anywhere near it really.
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 11, 2021, 11:03:21 PM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 11, 2021, 10:56:34 PM
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 11, 2021, 10:45:49 PM
Just read a bit of the original area codes system. So the area code numbers were based on how many dials you do on a rotary phone, which is the digits of an area code added up, with 10 for 0. For example, for 212, 2+1+2=5, which is the smallest, and for the largest city. And the x0x area codes were for full states, like how all of Washington state was 206.
With the 1950 census metro area population (the area codes were established in 1947, so I rounded up to 1950), this is ideally how they would be laid out up to 11 dials, excluding cities that were part of a full state area code (x0x):
212 (5 dials): NYC
213, 312 (6 dials): Chicago, Los Angeles
214, 313, 412 (7 dials): Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston
215, 314, 413, 512 (8 dials): San Francisco, Pittsburgh, St Louis, Cleveland
216, 315, 414, 513, 612 (9 dials): Minneapolis, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Kansas City
217, 316, 415, 514, 613, 712 (10 dials): Houston, Dallas, Indianapolis, San Diego, Youngstown, Albany
218, 317, 416, 515, 614, 713, 812 (11 dials): Columbus, San Antonio, Rochester (NY), Allentown, Springfield (MA), Toledo, Ft Worth
That's really interesting!
I think 360 in Washington was the first not to have a 1 or 0 in the middle. Interestingly enough, it's the only one that is broken into two segments. Most of southwestern Washington and then north of Seattle
First of all, I forgot that Canada also uses the same area code system as the US when doing my metro areas list above :banghead:
I found a map of the original 1947 area codes plan. Note that there were things called "flash-cuts" right after this map, which were new area codes that were added pretty early on. Like with Washington, 509 was added in 1957 as a flash cut from 206.
(https://i.imgur.com/JghPMbm.png)
Note that 614 and 513 are flipped on that map for some reason, 513 is supposed to be in Southwest OH.
Idid not know the first area were before the flash cuts. Sorry.
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 11, 2021, 10:45:49 PM
Just read a bit of the original area codes system. So the area code numbers were based on how many dials you do on a rotary phone, which is the digits of an area code added up, with 10 for 0. For example, for 212, 2+1+2=5, which is the smallest, and for the largest city. And the x0x area codes were for full states, like how all of Washington state was 206.
With the 1950 census metro area population (the area codes were established in 1947, so I rounded up to 1950), this is ideally how they would be laid out up to 11 dials, excluding cities that were part of a full state area code (x0x):
212 (5 dials): NYC
213, 312 (6 dials): Chicago, Los Angeles
214, 313, 412 (7 dials): Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston
215, 314, 413, 512 (8 dials): San Francisco, Pittsburgh, St Louis, Cleveland
216, 315, 414, 513, 612 (9 dials): Minneapolis, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Kansas City
217, 316, 415, 514, 613, 712 (10 dials): Houston, Dallas, Indianapolis, San Diego, Youngstown, Albany
218, 317, 416, 515, 614, 713, 812 (11 dials): Columbus, San Antonio, Rochester (NY), Allentown, Springfield (MA), Toledo, Ft Worth
Philadelphia is 215.
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 11, 2021, 10:45:49 PM
Just read a bit of the original area codes system. So the area code numbers were based on how many dials you do on a rotary phone, which is the digits of an area code added up, with 10 for 0. For example, for 212, 2+1+2=5, which is the smallest, and for the largest city. And the x0x area codes were for full states, like how all of Washington state was 206.
With the 1950 census metro area population (the area codes were established in 1947, so I rounded up to 1950), this is ideally how they would be laid out up to 11 dials, excluding cities that were part of a full state area code (x0x):
212 (5 dials): NYC
213, 312 (6 dials): Chicago, Los Angeles
214, 313, 412 (7 dials): Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston
215, 314, 413, 512 (8 dials): San Francisco, Pittsburgh, St Louis, Cleveland
216, 315, 414, 513, 612 (9 dials): Minneapolis, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Kansas City
217, 316, 415, 514, 613, 712 (10 dials): Houston, Dallas, Indianapolis, San Diego, Youngstown, Albany
218, 317, 416, 515, 614, 713, 812 (11 dials): Columbus, San Antonio, Rochester (NY), Allentown, Springfield (MA), Toledo, Ft Worth
For reference, here are the actual codes:
Count Code Location
5 212 New York (New York City)
6 213 California (Southern California, including Los Angeles)
6 312 Illinois (Chicago metropolitan area)
7 214 Texas (northeastern Texas, including Dallas/Fort Worth)
7 313 Michigan (southeast Michigan, including Detroit)
7 412 Pennsylvania (western Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh)
8 215 Pennsylvania (southeastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia)
8 314 Missouri (eastern Missouri, including St. Louis)
8 413 Massachusetts (western Massachusetts, including Springfield)
8 512 Texas (central and southern Texas, including Austin and San Antonio)
9 216 Ohio (northeastern Ohio, including Cleveland)
9 315 New York (central upstate New York, including Syracuse)
9 414 Wisconsin (southern and northeastern Wisconsin, including Milwaukee)
9 513 Ohio (southwest Ohio, including Cincinnati)
9 612 Minnesota (southeastern portion, including Minneapolis)
10 217 Illinois (central)
10 316 Kansas (southern half of Kansas)
10 415 California (northern/central California, including San Francisco and Sacramento)
10 514 Quebec (western half of Quebec, including Montreal)
10 613 Ontario (all except a southern portion covering Oshawa-Toronto-Kitchener)
10 712 Iowa (western third, including Sioux City)
11 218 Minnesota (except southeastern part of state)
11 317 Indiana (northern two-thirds of Indiana, including Indianapolis)
11 416 Ontario (southern portion from Cobourg to Kitchener, including Toronto)
11 515 Iowa (central Iowa, including Des Moines)
11 614 Ohio (southeast, including Columbus)
11 713 Texas (southeastern Texas, including Houston)
11 812 Indiana (southern Indiana)
13 201 New Jersey
13 319 Iowa (eastern third of Iowa)
13 418 Quebec (eastern half of Quebec, including Québec City)
13 517 Michigan (south-central portion of Lower Peninsula, including Lansing)
13 616 Michigan (Grand Rapids, Upper Peninsula, western portion of Lower Peninsula)
13 715 Wisconsin (northern Wisconsin)
13 814 Pennsylvania (northwestern and central Pennsylvania)
13 913 Kansas (northern half of Kansas)
14 202 District of Columbia
14 301 Maryland
14 419 Ohio (northwest Ohio, including Toledo)
14 518 New York (northeastern New York, including Albany)
14 617 Massachusetts (eastern Massachusetts, including Boston)
14 716 New York (western New York, including Buffalo and Rochester)
14 815 Illinois (northern Illinois, except Chicago and Quad Cities)
14 914 New York (southern New York, including Long Island, but excluding New York City)
15 203 Connecticut
15 302 Delaware
15 401 Rhode Island
15 618 Illinois (southern Illinois, including East St. Louis and Carbondale)
15 717 Pennsylvania (eastern half, except for the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys)
15 816 Missouri (northwestern Missouri, including Kansas City)
15 915 Texas (western Texas, including El Paso)
16 204 Manitoba
16 303 Colorado
16 402 Nebraska
16 501 Arkansas
16 916 California (northern California, but not including Sacramento)
17 205 Alabama
17 304 West Virginia
17 403 Alberta
17 502 Kentucky
17 601 Mississippi
18 206 Washington
18 305 Florida
18 404 Georgia
18 503 Oregon
18 602 Arizona
18 701 North Dakota
19 207 Maine
19 306 Saskatchewan
19 405 Oklahoma
19 504 Louisiana
19 603 New Hampshire
19 702 Nevada
19 801 Utah
20 208 Idaho
20 307 Wyoming
20 406 Montana
20 505 New Mexico
20 604 British Columbia
20 703 Virginia
20 802 Vermont
20 901 Tennessee
21 605 South Dakota
21 704 North Carolina
21 803 South Carolina
21 902 Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on March 12, 2021, 02:49:19 AM
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 11, 2021, 10:45:49 PM
Just read a bit of the original area codes system. So the area code numbers were based on how many dials you do on a rotary phone, which is the digits of an area code added up, with 10 for 0. For example, for 212, 2+1+2=5, which is the smallest, and for the largest city. And the x0x area codes were for full states, like how all of Washington state was 206.
With the 1950 census metro area population (the area codes were established in 1947, so I rounded up to 1950), this is ideally how they would be laid out up to 11 dials, excluding cities that were part of a full state area code (x0x):
212 (5 dials): NYC
213, 312 (6 dials): Chicago, Los Angeles
214, 313, 412 (7 dials): Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston
215, 314, 413, 512 (8 dials): San Francisco, Pittsburgh, St Louis, Cleveland
216, 315, 414, 513, 612 (9 dials): Minneapolis, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Kansas City
217, 316, 415, 514, 613, 712 (10 dials): Houston, Dallas, Indianapolis, San Diego, Youngstown, Albany
218, 317, 416, 515, 614, 713, 812 (11 dials): Columbus, San Antonio, Rochester (NY), Allentown, Springfield (MA), Toledo, Ft Worth
For reference, here are the actual codes:
Count Code Location
5 212 New York (New York City)
6 213 California (Southern California, including Los Angeles)
6 312 Illinois (Chicago metropolitan area)
7 214 Texas (northeastern Texas, including Dallas/Fort Worth)
7 313 Michigan (southeast Michigan, including Detroit)
7 412 Pennsylvania (western Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh)
8 215 Pennsylvania (southeastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia)
8 314 Missouri (eastern Missouri, including St. Louis)
8 413 Massachusetts (western Massachusetts, including Springfield)
8 512 Texas (central and southern Texas, including Austin and San Antonio)
9 216 Ohio (northeastern Ohio, including Cleveland)
9 315 New York (central upstate New York, including Syracuse)
9 414 Wisconsin (southern and northeastern Wisconsin, including Milwaukee)
9 513 Ohio (southwest Ohio, including Cincinnati)
9 612 Minnesota (southeastern portion, including Minneapolis)
10 217 Illinois (central)
10 316 Kansas (southern half of Kansas)
10 415 California (northern/central California, including San Francisco and Sacramento)
10 514 Quebec (western half of Quebec, including Montreal)
10 613 Ontario (all except a southern portion covering Oshawa-Toronto-Kitchener)
10 712 Iowa (western third, including Sioux City)
11 218 Minnesota (except southeastern part of state)
11 317 Indiana (northern two-thirds of Indiana, including Indianapolis)
11 416 Ontario (southern portion from Cobourg to Kitchener, including Toronto)
11 515 Iowa (central Iowa, including Des Moines)
11 614 Ohio (southeast, including Columbus)
11 713 Texas (southeastern Texas, including Houston)
11 812 Indiana (southern Indiana)
13 201 New Jersey
13 319 Iowa (eastern third of Iowa)
13 418 Quebec (eastern half of Quebec, including Québec City)
13 517 Michigan (south-central portion of Lower Peninsula, including Lansing)
13 616 Michigan (Grand Rapids, Upper Peninsula, western portion of Lower Peninsula)
13 715 Wisconsin (northern Wisconsin)
13 814 Pennsylvania (northwestern and central Pennsylvania)
13 913 Kansas (northern half of Kansas)
14 202 District of Columbia
14 301 Maryland
14 419 Ohio (northwest Ohio, including Toledo)
14 518 New York (northeastern New York, including Albany)
14 617 Massachusetts (eastern Massachusetts, including Boston)
14 716 New York (western New York, including Buffalo and Rochester)
14 815 Illinois (northern Illinois, except Chicago and Quad Cities)
14 914 New York (southern New York, including Long Island, but excluding New York City)
15 203 Connecticut
15 302 Delaware
15 401 Rhode Island
15 618 Illinois (southern Illinois, including East St. Louis and Carbondale)
15 717 Pennsylvania (eastern half, except for the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys)
15 816 Missouri (northwestern Missouri, including Kansas City)
15 915 Texas (western Texas, including El Paso)
16 204 Manitoba
16 303 Colorado
16 402 Nebraska
16 501 Arkansas
16 916 California (northern California, but not including Sacramento)
17 205 Alabama
17 304 West Virginia
17 403 Alberta
17 502 Kentucky
17 601 Mississippi
18 206 Washington
18 305 Florida
18 404 Georgia
18 503 Oregon
18 602 Arizona
18 701 North Dakota
19 207 Maine
19 306 Saskatchewan
19 405 Oklahoma
19 504 Louisiana
19 603 New Hampshire
19 702 Nevada
19 801 Utah
20 208 Idaho
20 307 Wyoming
20 406 Montana
20 505 New Mexico
20 604 British Columbia
20 703 Virginia
20 802 Vermont
20 901 Tennessee
21 605 South Dakota
21 704 North Carolina
21 803 South Carolina
21 902 Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick
Interesting that 516 and 718 were not part of the original numbering plan. Noticed a couple of errors: Rochester was 716 along with Buffalo, and Massachusetts had 1 area code until 413 (which covers Springfield) was added later.
then there's prefixes..
when i used to run a fido bbs back in the 90's (anyone remember those?) i was in charge of maintaining a list of what prefixes were local to the area. it used to be fairly easy, since they were published in the phone books.
plus, with some clever modem tricks and call-forwarding, one could call long distance for the local price.. i.e. fort collins was local to berthoud, and berthoud was local to fort collins and longmont. but longmont was long distance from fort collins.
anyways.. nowadays, the phone book still lists the traditional prefixes for this area, but states that 'other phone companies might have other ones that are also local'. of course, the bbs is long dead (long live DFTS!) but a lot of times its not clear when i have to dial '1' on my landline (does anyone still have those?)
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 11, 2021, 10:59:19 PM
It's kind of funny how area codes really aren't necessary anymore with mobile technology.
Are you under the impression that landline phones no longer exist?
Quote from: kphoger on March 12, 2021, 10:02:20 AM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 11, 2021, 10:59:19 PM
It's kind of funny how area codes really aren't necessary anymore with mobile technology.
Are you under the impression that landline phones no longer exist?
Land....lines?! That's a good point.
We had one when we first moved up here but nobody ever called us on it.
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 12, 2021, 10:08:41 AM
Quote from: kphoger on March 12, 2021, 10:02:20 AM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 11, 2021, 10:59:19 PM
It's kind of funny how area codes really aren't necessary anymore with mobile technology.
Are you under the impression that landline phones no longer exist?
Land....lines?! That's a good point.
We had one when we first moved up here but nobody ever called us on it.
They're.... umm.... kind of a big deal, especially for nearly every business you see. Multiple landline numbers, all over the place. (Meanwhile, I work for a company that installs landline phone service, yet we use VOIP phones in the office.) They're also kind of a big deal for elderly people whose Life Line medical alert system is tied into the phone wiring.
And area codes are still very necessary for landline numbers. You can't even port your landline phone number across a rate center line, even if that's just across the street. Northwest Arkansas, for example, has multiple rate centers, so a business can't relocate from Rogers to Fayetteville and keep the same number, even though they're in the same area code–much less if they relocated to Oklahoma City!
Huh. I never realized 906 in the UP was split off from 616. 5 years after Alaska was assigned 907 - I wonder why they kept 906 for the UP? Those two would have the most dial pulses - 25 and 26 respectively.
Now we also have 908 and 909 which were recent additions, when dial pulses no longer make a difference. And others that have a 0 on the end which could also have a large dial pulse count, if that was still in use.
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 12, 2021, 10:08:41 AM
Quote from: kphoger on March 12, 2021, 10:02:20 AM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 11, 2021, 10:59:19 PM
It's kind of funny how area codes really aren't necessary anymore with mobile technology.
Are you under the impression that landline phones no longer exist?
Land....lines?! That's a good point.
We had one when we first moved up here but nobody ever called us on it.
mobiles rarely work where i live
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on March 12, 2021, 07:26:55 AM
Interesting that 516 and 718 were not part of the original numbering plan. Noticed a couple of errors: Rochester was 716 along with Buffalo, and Massachusetts had 1 area code until 413 (which covers Springfield) was added later.
I admittedly just copied and pasted from the Wiki. From what I can tell, though, 716 is listed in the chart as including Rochester, which as far as I can tell is correct. Also, although 413 was not in the original plan of area codes, it was implemented, as far as I can tell, at the same time as the others. That said, I may not be understanding all the nuances involved.
It should be noted that Western WA has a new overlay code (564) that went into effect a few years ago.
Quote from: SkyPesos on March 11, 2021, 10:45:49 PM
Just read a bit of the original area codes system. So the area code numbers were based on how many dials you do on a rotary phone, which is the digits of an area code added up, with 10 for 0. For example, for 212, 2+1+2=5, which is the smallest, and for the largest city. And the x0x area codes were for full states, like how all of Washington state was 206.
With the 1950 census metro area population (the area codes were established in 1947, so I rounded up to 1950), this is ideally how they would be laid out up to 11 dials, excluding cities that were part of a full state area code (x0x):
212 (5 dials): NYC
213, 312 (6 dials): Chicago, Los Angeles
214, 313, 412 (7 dials): Philadelphia, Detroit, Boston
215, 314, 413, 512 (8 dials): San Francisco, Pittsburgh, St Louis, Cleveland
216, 315, 414, 513, 612 (9 dials): Minneapolis, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Kansas City
217, 316, 415, 514, 613, 712 (10 dials): Houston, Dallas, Indianapolis, San Diego, Youngstown, Albany
218, 317, 416, 515, 614, 713, 812 (11 dials): Columbus, San Antonio, Rochester (NY), Allentown, Springfield (MA), Toledo, Ft Worth
Philadelphia's area code is 215, San Francisco's is 415
That list is what he said they should ideally be, not what they actually are.
I think the point is that you really don't need area codes any longer. Ten digit phone numbers are largely just fine. And in Wisconsin they are going to start requiring dialing all ten digits even if you are in the same area code.
One thing that has gone away with the movement toward mobile - the excitement / dread over getting a new phone number when you move! My kids are likely to have the same phone numbers they had when they got their mobile phones in high school for the rest of their lives!
Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 12, 2021, 04:35:19 PM
I think the point is that you really don't need area codes any longer. Ten digit phone numbers are largely just fine. And in Wisconsin they are going to start requiring dialing all ten digits even if you are in the same area code.
How are area codes no longer needed for landline numbers?
(A year or two ago, Mexico switched to ten-digit dialing for all numbers–whether local, long-distance, landline, cellular, whatever, it's all ten digits Dialing in from outside the country, one still has to figure out weird prefixes, but they no longer exist for in-Mexico dialing. It used to be seven digits for local to a landline, 01+ten digits for long-distance to a landline, 044+seven digits for local to a cellular, 045+ten digits for long-distance to a cellular–if I remember correctly.)
Quote from: kphoger on March 12, 2021, 04:45:49 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 12, 2021, 04:35:19 PM
I think the point is that you really don't need area codes any longer. Ten digit phone numbers are largely just fine. And in Wisconsin they are going to start requiring dialing all ten digits even if you are in the same area code.
How are area codes no longer needed for landline numbers?
My assumption, and maybe I am wrong about that, is that current technology would allow for any random ten digit number to be assigned to any landline.
Area codes are obsolete due to cellphones (unlike what happens in e.g. Spain, where cellphones have a different number range to landlines). So I'd better combine Interstates and, say, NWS county warning areas. Now I think, I'm going to do that :sombrero:.
Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 12, 2021, 04:53:51 PM
Quote from: kphoger on March 12, 2021, 04:45:49 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 12, 2021, 04:35:19 PM
I think the point is that you really don't need area codes any longer. Ten digit phone numbers are largely just fine. And in Wisconsin they are going to start requiring dialing all ten digits even if you are in the same area code.
How are area codes no longer needed for landline numbers?
My assumption, and maybe I am wrong about that, is that current technology would allow for any random ten digit number to be assigned to any landline.
Unless something changed recently that I'm unaware of...
Quote from: kphoger on March 12, 2021, 10:44:35 AM
You can't even port your landline phone number across a rate center line, even if that's just across the street. Northwest Arkansas, for example, has multiple rate centers, so a business can't relocate from Rogers to Fayetteville and keep the same number, even though they're in the same area code–much less if they relocated to Oklahoma City!
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 11, 2021, 10:59:19 PM
It's kind of funny how area codes really aren't necessary anymore with mobile technology.
My wife and I still have our 949 numbers. No need to change them.
Aren't they still necessary Though because of the number of phone numbers that exist? Like what other system could be used so that when someone dials "567-9876" they get the one they are looking for and not one across the country?
Area codes are something I've always been weirdly interested in. Like I love finding out what an area code is for a region. And I like when new ones come out. And I like original codes in a region. One of the biggest regrets I have was when I moved back to New Orleans in 2014, I changed my number and lost my 713 area code. Now it's next to impossible to get another one. Hell even 281 is getting scarce.
When I first moved back I had to get a 346 number and I was not happy. I finally managed to get it changed to 832 which was better but still not 713
Quote from: achilles765 on June 08, 2021, 01:43:24 PM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 11, 2021, 10:59:19 PM
It's kind of funny how area codes really aren't necessary anymore with mobile technology.
My wife and I still have our 949 numbers. No need to change them.
Aren't they still necessary Though because of the number of phone numbers that exist? Like what other system could be used so that when someone dials "567-9876" they get the one they are looking for and not one across the country?
Area codes are something I've always been weirdly interested in. Like I love finding out what an area code is for a region. And I like when new ones come out. And I like original codes in a region. One of the biggest regrets I have was when I moved back to New Orleans in 2014, I changed my number and lost my 713 area code. Now it's next to impossible to get another one. Hell even 281 is getting scarce.
When I first moved back I had to get a 346 number and I was not happy. I finally managed to get it changed to 832 which was better but still not 713
Not sure if you saw the news, but Colorado is getting another one. 983 will overlay with 303/720.
Chris
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on March 11, 2021, 10:18:24 PM
I-35 (24)
MN: 218, 320, 651, 763, 612, 952, 507
IA: 641, 515
MO: 660, 816
KS: 913, 785, 316, 620
OK: 580, 405/572
TX: 940, 682/817, 214/469/972, 254, 512, 210, 830
Make that 27. Dallas now has a 4th area code, 945. San Antonio's 210 is now overlaid with 726. 512 in Austin now has a 2nd also, 737.
Quote from: jayhawkco on June 08, 2021, 01:47:37 PM
Quote from: achilles765 on June 08, 2021, 01:43:24 PM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 11, 2021, 10:59:19 PM
It's kind of funny how area codes really aren't necessary anymore with mobile technology.
My wife and I still have our 949 numbers. No need to change them.
Aren't they still necessary Though because of the number of phone numbers that exist? Like what other system could be used so that when someone dials "567-9876" they get the one they are looking for and not one across the country?
Area codes are something I've always been weirdly interested in. Like I love finding out what an area code is for a region. And I like when new ones come out. And I like original codes in a region. One of the biggest regrets I have was when I moved back to New Orleans in 2014, I changed my number and lost my 713 area code. Now it's next to impossible to get another one. Hell even 281 is getting scarce.
When I first moved back I had to get a 346 number and I was not happy. I finally managed to get it changed to 832 which was better but still not 713
Not sure if you saw the news, but Colorado is getting another one. 983 will overlay with 303/720.
Chris
Cool! I had not seen that. I was sort of surprised the Denver metro lasted this long with just 303/720 given the very rapid growth rate in the region. I am absolutely going to get 983 confused with 986, which is the relatively-new-but-still-little-seen overlay with 208 for all of Idaho.
Unrelated, and although I get why they aren't really done anymore, I wish area code splits were still a thing. I like being able to look at the area code to get a general picture of where something is. Granted most overlays are in metro areas that were already split off from more rural areas, so it's not really a problem... but now that we're starting to see some rural or even whole-state overlays like 208/986 I feel like it's a missed opportunity.
I'm sort of surprised that the Ohio portion of the Cincinnati metro is doing fine with only 513, considering the population is around 1.63m (about 100k below Idaho's population), with no plans of an overlay area code in the near future. Though that means 7 digit dialing is still possible here.
Quote from: US 89 on June 08, 2021, 05:16:19 PM
Quote from: jayhawkco on June 08, 2021, 01:47:37 PM
Quote from: achilles765 on June 08, 2021, 01:43:24 PM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 11, 2021, 10:59:19 PM
It's kind of funny how area codes really aren't necessary anymore with mobile technology.
My wife and I still have our 949 numbers. No need to change them.
Aren't they still necessary Though because of the number of phone numbers that exist? Like what other system could be used so that when someone dials "567-9876" they get the one they are looking for and not one across the country?
Area codes are something I've always been weirdly interested in. Like I love finding out what an area code is for a region. And I like when new ones come out. And I like original codes in a region. One of the biggest regrets I have was when I moved back to New Orleans in 2014, I changed my number and lost my 713 area code. Now it's next to impossible to get another one. Hell even 281 is getting scarce.
When I first moved back I had to get a 346 number and I was not happy. I finally managed to get it changed to 832 which was better but still not 713
Not sure if you saw the news, but Colorado is getting another one. 983 will overlay with 303/720.
Chris
Cool! I had not seen that. I was sort of surprised the Denver metro lasted this long with just 303/720 given the very rapid growth rate in the region. I am absolutely going to get 983 confused with 986, which is the relatively-new-but-still-little-seen overlay with 208 for all of Idaho.
Unrelated, and although I get why they aren't really done anymore, I wish area code splits were still a thing. I like being able to look at the area code to get a general picture of where something is. Granted most overlays are in metro areas that were already split off from more rural areas, so it's not really a problem... but now that we're starting to see some rural or even whole-state overlays like 208/986 I feel like it's a missed opportunity.
I agree, I think some rural overlay area codes should have been splits instead. In my opinion a split is preferable unless the geographic area covered by the area code is already small enough to be in the same local calling zone.
Just realized I-95 passed through 63 different area codes. Not included were 718/347/929 between 914 and the Manhattan codes when it passes through the Bronx.
I-5 has to be a top contender, because of all the different area codes that Southern California has. Well, that's what first came to mind for me when I saw the thread title, anyway. Am I right? Where does I-5 rank?
https://nationalnanpa.com/pdf/PL_556.pdf
The implementation of 988 as a suicide hotline dial-in number will end up slowing down or even stopping Area Code number allotment. In New York state, for example, after 988 is implemented, the only area code that will NOT have mandatory 10-digit dialing is 585. I could see NY state's PSC requiring NPA 585 to implement 10-digit dialing, then erase all NPA boundaries once that is complete. Which would, in effect, make any remaining 718 numbers available to all Upstate NY customers, along with any 315 or 607 numbers available to NYC customers.
And that's just one state. California, for another example, will only have three non-10 digit dialing area codes (831,559, and 661) after 988 is implemented. The CA PUC could require those NPAs to go to 10-digit dialing, and erase all NPA boundaries as well.
Quote from: jayhawkco on June 08, 2021, 01:47:37 PM
Quote from: achilles765 on June 08, 2021, 01:43:24 PM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 11, 2021, 10:59:19 PM
It's kind of funny how area codes really aren't necessary anymore with mobile technology.
My wife and I still have our 949 numbers. No need to change them.
Aren't they still necessary Though because of the number of phone numbers that exist? Like what other system could be used so that when someone dials "567-9876" they get the one they are looking for and not one across the country?
Area codes are something I've always been weirdly interested in. Like I love finding out what an area code is for a region. And I like when new ones come out. And I like original codes in a region. One of the biggest regrets I have was when I moved back to New Orleans in 2014, I changed my number and lost my 713 area code. Now it's next to impossible to get another one. Hell even 281 is getting scarce.
When I first moved back I had to get a 346 number and I was not happy. I finally managed to get it changed to 832 which was better but still not 713
Not sure if you saw the news, but Colorado is getting another one. 983 will overlay with 303/720.
Chris
I am surprised the CO PUC didn't hold off until the 719 and 970 area codes were firmly in the 10-digit dialing camp. Since the whole state will be under 10-digit dialing, the PUC could have erased the NPA boundaries and made 719/970 numbers available for metro Denver.
Then again, I guess that would have only put off the decision to add 983 by only 3-4 years. So the PUC may as well make 983 a statewide overlay.
Quote from: SkyPesos on June 08, 2021, 05:38:14 PM
I'm sort of surprised that the Ohio portion of the Cincinnati metro is doing fine with only 513, considering the population is around 1.63m (about 100k below Idaho's population), with no plans of an overlay area code in the near future. Though that means 7 digit dialing is still possible here.
The overlay area code 283 was assigned to 513 almost 20 years ago, but has yet to be implemented. There is no date set for implementation. Interestingly, 283 was chosen because it spells CVG, Cincinnati's airport code. But the airport is in area code 859.
However, with the introduction of the universal 988 Suicide Hotline number, almost all area codes (including 513) will be required to transition to 10-digit dialing within the next 13 months.
Quote from: kphoger on March 12, 2021, 10:44:35 AM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 12, 2021, 10:08:41 AM
Land....lines?! That's a good point.
We had one when we first moved up here but nobody ever called us on it.
They're.... umm.... kind of a big deal, especially for nearly every business you see. Multiple landline numbers, all over the place. (Meanwhile, I work for a company that installs landline phone service, yet we use VOIP phones in the office.) They're also kind of a big deal for elderly people whose Life Line medical alert system is tied into the phone wiring.
Even for business usage, though, landline usage is waning. The company I worked for for 11 years was all VOIP the entire time. (Though I'm not really sure how it was specifically set up, because it had five-digit extensions, and had the unusual quality that if you wanted to dial, say, extension 21226, you could dial (405) ##2-1226 from an outside line, and it would go through. I'm guessing they got ten whole prefixes allocated to them somehow.)
And most small businesses are cellphone-only now. The business's officially-published number is a cell phone belonging to one of the principals of the company. It's cheaper and more convenient to just carry a work cell and a personal cell than it is to set up a land line, especially if you're in a business where you aren't necessarily in one fixed location all the time (like if you're a builder or plumber or something like that).
I-878 obviously
Regarding I-95, the District of Columbia will get a second area code as an overlay later this year because they're running out of 202 numbers. The new area code is 771; seven-digit dialing within the District will end on October 9.
I've lived in this area long enough to remember when we had seven-digit dialing across area codes for local calls: For my mom in Virginia to call my dad at his office in DC, for example, she just had to dial the seven digits and not the area code. This applied to Maryland's closer suburbs as well. They accomplished this by not repeating exchanges (so if you had a 633-#### in DC, as my father did for work, there were no 633- numbers in nearby Virginia or Maryland within the local calling area). That ended in either the late 1980s or early 1990s as fax machines started proliferating and they needed more exchanges. Full ten-digit dialing for local calls in Virginia and Maryland came later.
(I don't recall whether exchanges were repeated further out in 703 and 301 during the time mentioned above. Some calls within area codes were long-distance because 703 covered a much bigger area then, even down to Roanoke; the 540 area code wasn't split off until sometime in the early 1990s).
Back to the thread topic... nobody has done I-80 yet, so here goes:
CA: 415, 628, 510, 341, 707, 530, 916, 279 (8)
NV: 775 (1)
UT: 435, 801, 385 (3)
WY: 307 (1)
NE: 308, 402, 531 (3)
IA: 712, 515, 641, 319, 563 (5)
IL: 309, 815, 779, 708 (4)
IN: 219, 574, 260 (3)
OH: 419, 567, 440, 330, 234 (5)
PA: 724, 878, 814, 582, 570, 272 (6)
NJ: 908, 973, 862, 201, 551 (5)
Total: 45
On another thread, I was suggesting that if Loop 1604 in San Antonio became an interstate loop, it could be 210. You'd have 210 running through area code 210.
Are there any examples of a highway with the number of an area code it goes through?
The closest I can think of around here is that WA-503 comes close to Oregon (503).
Quote from: OCGuy81 on June 10, 2021, 10:41:48 AM
Are there any examples of a highway with the number of an area code it goes through?
207 in Maine
Quote from: jayhawkco on June 08, 2021, 01:47:37 PM
Quote from: achilles765 on June 08, 2021, 01:43:24 PM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 11, 2021, 10:59:19 PM
It's kind of funny how area codes really aren't necessary anymore with mobile technology.
My wife and I still have our 949 numbers. No need to change them.
Aren't they still necessary Though because of the number of phone numbers that exist? Like what other system could be used so that when someone dials "567-9876" they get the one they are looking for and not one across the country?
Area codes are something I've always been weirdly interested in. Like I love finding out what an area code is for a region. And I like when new ones come out. And I like original codes in a region. One of the biggest regrets I have was when I moved back to New Orleans in 2014, I changed my number and lost my 713 area code. Now it's next to impossible to get another one. Hell even 281 is getting scarce.
When I first moved back I had to get a 346 number and I was not happy. I finally managed to get it changed to 832 which was better but still not 713
Not sure if you saw the news, but Colorado is getting another one. 983 will overlay with 303/720.
Chris
what is 970, chopped liver? they have to be running out of number in 970, since its like the west/north/northeast part of the state, plus the northern front range..
Quote from: zachary_amaryllis on June 10, 2021, 10:48:38 AM
what is 970, chopped liver? they have to be running out of number in 970, since its like the west/north/northeast part of the state, plus the northern front range..
If the FoCo/Greeley area keeps growing like it has been, I'm sure it won't be long.
As a side topic, I think there are only a few 2dis that are tied for the fewest area codes passed through:
I-2
I-14
I-19
I-27
I-69W
I-69C
All Alaska interstates
All Hawaii interstates
Did I miss any?
Chris
Quote from: OCGuy81 on June 10, 2021, 10:41:48 AM
....
Are there any examples of a highway with the number of an area code it goes through?
....
There are multiple Virginia secondary routes numbered 703 within the 703 area code. The most notable, in my mind, is Shreve Road in Fairfax County.
Here's another exercise for this thread: take the length of an interstate and divide it by the number of area codes for the average number of miles per area code. Let's see which interstate have the lowest, or most frequent.
I-70: 2172.16/35 = 62.06
I-75: 1786.47/31 = 57.63
I-90: 3020.44/39 = 77.45
I-95: 1919.31/60 = 31.99
As for the remaining interstates that goes through Ohio not mentioned upthread already:
I-71 (14): 502, 859, 513, 937, 740/220, 614/380, 419/567, 330/234, 440, 216
345.57/14 = 24.68
I-74 (9): 309, 217, 765, 316/463, 513, 336/743, 910
491.74/9 = 54.64
I-76 (18): 303/720, 970, 308, 330/234, 724/878, 412, 814, 717/223, 610/484, 215/267/445, 856
622.14/18 = 34.56
I-77: (15): 803, 704/980, 828, 336/743, 276, 304/681, 740/220, 330/234, 440, 216
610.1/15 = 40.67
Quote from: OCGuy81 on June 10, 2021, 10:41:48 AM
Are there any examples of a highway with the number of an area code it goes through?
All interior western states but one don't even have a state highway matching any of their area codes. That one is NM, which has both a NM 505 and a NM 575... but of course, they are both located in the wrong half of the state.
I can tell you from personal experience, in the 40 years that my parents have lived in the same house in suburban Chicago, our land line went from 312 to 708 to 630. Then we all got cell phones and gave up our land line.
Quote from: 1 on June 10, 2021, 10:42:23 AM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on June 10, 2021, 10:41:48 AM
Are there any examples of a highway with the number of an area code it goes through?
207 in Maine
401 in RI
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 11, 2021, 10:48:34 PM
I'll do I-5 since it's nearest me.
WA: 360, 425, 206, 253
OR: 503/971, 541/458
CA: 530, 916/279, 209, 559, 661, 626, 213/323, 714/657, 949, 760, 858, 619
23
For CA you can add 818/747 and 562, and remove 626.
Quote from: 1 on June 10, 2021, 10:42:23 AM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on June 10, 2021, 10:41:48 AM
Are there any examples of a highway with the number of an area code it goes through?
207 in Maine
Also NY 315 is at least partially in area code 315.
Quote from: jayhawkco on June 10, 2021, 10:55:40 AM
Quote from: zachary_amaryllis on June 10, 2021, 10:48:38 AM
what is 970, chopped liver? they have to be running out of number in 970, since its like the west/north/northeast part of the state, plus the northern front range..
If the FoCo/Greeley area keeps growing like it has been, I'm sure it won't be long.
According to NANPA, 970 is expected to run out of prefixes in 2028.
https://nationalnanpa.com/reports/2021-1NPAExhaustProjectionsFinal.pdf (https://nationalnanpa.com/reports/2021-1NPAExhaustProjectionsFinal.pdf)
Minnesota historically had TH 218 in area code 218.
Quote from: OCGuy81 on June 10, 2021, 10:41:48 AM
Are there any examples of a highway with the number of an area code it goes through?
The closest I can think of around here is that WA-503 comes close to Oregon (503).
US 301 passes through area code 301 in Maryland. (I think we already have a thread on this?)
Quote from: hobsini2 on June 10, 2021, 06:29:50 PM
I can tell you from personal experience, in the 40 years that my parents have lived in the same house in suburban Chicago, our land line went from 312 to 708 to 630. Then we all got cell phones and gave up our land line.
Were landlines forced to change their area code if their area split off from the previous code?
The four "what were they thinking" area codes:
From the "low number wasted" department: 315, 413
From the "you don't know how to split a state by population" department: 228, 308. Possibly 432 and 325, but I'm not sure.
Are there any other really bad ones?
Quote from: SkyPesos on June 12, 2021, 08:24:58 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on June 10, 2021, 06:29:50 PM
I can tell you from personal experience, in the 40 years that my parents have lived in the same house in suburban Chicago, our land line went from 312 to 708 to 630. Then we all got cell phones and gave up our land line.
Were landlines forced to change their area code if their area split off from the previous code?
Yes, because that's what a split required.
Splits were generally unpopular, and eventually it was decided they phone system would just do overlays instead.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 12, 2021, 09:05:08 AM
Quote from: SkyPesos on June 12, 2021, 08:24:58 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on June 10, 2021, 06:29:50 PM
I can tell you from personal experience, in the 40 years that my parents have lived in the same house in suburban Chicago, our land line went from 312 to 708 to 630. Then we all got cell phones and gave up our land line.
Were landlines forced to change their area code if their area split off from the previous code?
Yes, because that's what a split required.
Splits were generally unpopular, and eventually it was decided they phone system would just do overlays instead.
my condolences to everyone that lost their 212 number due to a split
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 12, 2021, 09:05:08 AM
Splits were generally unpopular, and eventually it was decided they phone system would just do overlays instead.
At one point overlays were even more unpopular. Back in 2001, Iowa's 319 area code was to receive an overlay with area code 563, but this apparently received a good deal of public pushback because of the requirement for 10-digit dialing, and they wound up going with a geographic split instead.
Quote from: 1 on June 12, 2021, 08:37:28 AM
The four "what were they thinking" area codes:
From the "low number wasted" department: 315, 413
From the "you don't know how to split a state by population" department: 228, 308. Possibly 432 and 325, but I'm not sure.
Are there any other really bad ones?
Not sure what you mean by low number wasted.
Quote from: Rothman on June 12, 2021, 11:01:44 AM
Quote from: 1 on June 12, 2021, 08:37:28 AM
The four "what were they thinking" area codes:
From the "low number wasted" department: 315, 413
From the "you don't know how to split a state by population" department: 228, 308. Possibly 432 and 325, but I'm not sure.
Are there any other really bad ones?
Not sure what you mean by low number wasted.
Back when there were dials, longer numbers took longer to dial, where 0 counted as 10. This is why 212, 213, and 312 are for major metro areas. 315 (sum 9) and 413 (sum 8) are low but aren't in major metros.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 12, 2021, 09:05:08 AM
Quote from: SkyPesos on June 12, 2021, 08:24:58 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on June 10, 2021, 06:29:50 PM
I can tell you from personal experience, in the 40 years that my parents have lived in the same house in suburban Chicago, our land line went from 312 to 708 to 630. Then we all got cell phones and gave up our land line.
Were landlines forced to change their area code if their area split off from the previous code?
Yes, because that's what a split required.
Splits were generally unpopular, and eventually it was decided they phone system would just do overlays instead.
When was the original overlay outside of NYC? 972. Texas had previously split 903 off of 214 and spilt several others in Texas. JC Penney had just moved to Plano. They proposed another split for all but Dallas county and the parts of the city of Dallas that were in other counties. Penney would have been moved to 972. They objected. So in spite of most of Collin, Ellis, Kaufman, and Rockwall counties (and bits of Tarrant, Denton, Grayson, and Hunt Counties) being changed to 972 they used an overlay and instituted 10-digit local dialing. I don't think there has been another split since in Texas.
As to the 903/430 overlay in northeast Texas, 430 is still not being used that much. I don't know if it is the idea that 430 is kind of like in a Seinfeld episode where Jerry was almost neurotic to get a 212 area code back or if the usage just has not dictated widespread usage of 430.
Quote from: 1 on June 12, 2021, 11:06:55 AM
Quote from: Rothman on June 12, 2021, 11:01:44 AM
Quote from: 1 on June 12, 2021, 08:37:28 AM
The four "what were they thinking" area codes:
From the "low number wasted" department: 315, 413
From the "you don't know how to split a state by population" department: 228, 308. Possibly 432 and 325, but I'm not sure.
Are there any other really bad ones?
Not sure what you mean by low number wasted.
Back when there were dials, longer numbers took longer to dial, where 0 counted as 10. This is why 212, 213, and 312 are for major metro areas. 315 (sum 9) and 413 (sum 8) are low but aren't in major metros.
I have seen it speculated that a clerical error accidentally switched 617 and 413 in Massachusetts somewhere along the line. It makes sense that Boston would have had a low-dial pull code like 413. Don't know the reason for 315; you would think that 716, which originally had both Rochester and Buffalo, would have gotten 315. Maybe another clerical error??
Quote from: 1 on March 11, 2021, 09:29:30 PM
95:
60 (207, 603, 978/351, 617/857, 781/339, 508/774, 401, 860/959, 203/475, 914, 212/332/646/917, 201/551, 973/862, 908, 732/848, 215/267/445, 610/484, 302, 410/443/667, 301/240, 202, 703/571, 540, 804, 434, 252, 919/984, 910, 843/854, 912, 904, 386, 407, 772, 561, 954/754, 305/786)
90:
39 (206, 425, 509, 208/986, 406, 307, 605, 507, 608, 815/779, 847/224, 773/872, 312, 219, 574, 260, 419/567, 440, 216, 814, 716, 585, 315/680 (why did they waste a low number), 518/838, 413 (another low number wasted), 508/774, 781/339, 617/857)
10: 39 (310/424, 213/323, 626, 909, 951, 760/442, 928, 623, 602, 480, 520, 575, 915, 432, 325, 830, 210/726, 361, 979, 731, 281/346/832, 409, 337, 225, 985, 504, 601/779, 228 (really, you had to make it that small?), 251, 850, 386, 904)
Side note: do all six of New Jersey's area codes (ignoring overlays) go blue?
I-10 does not go through area codes 601 and 779 in Mississippi. It only goes through the 228 area code.
Quote from: 1 on June 10, 2021, 10:42:23 AM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on June 10, 2021, 10:41:48 AM
Are there any examples of a highway with the number of an area code it goes through?
207 in Maine
M-231 barely misses entering area code 231. M-231 spends its entire route in area code 616. Area code 231 was split off of 616 about 20 years ago.