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Establishing New Area Codes

The Commission has jurisdiction over matters involving the establishment of new area codes in Indiana. An entity overseen by the FCC called the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) monitors the status of all area codes serving 20 North American countries.  When an area code in Indiana is three years from running out of numbers (called “exhaust”), NANPA and representatives from the Indiana telecommunications industry meet to discuss the urgency for the establishment of a new area code, called area code relief, and the appropriate relief methods. NANPA then files a petition for area code relief with the Commission along with a recommended method of relief.

Three methods of relief can be used: geographic split (which divides the existing area code territory and requires existing numbers to be changed to the new area code), all services distributed overlay (in which a new area code will be used for new numbers in the existing area code territory), or a concentrated overlay (in which, a new area code and ten-digit dialing is required, at first, only in a concentrated area within the area code. All remaining areas outside of the concentrated area would retain current telephone numbers and 7-digit dialing for local calls until the remaining (old) area code numbers are all assigned.  At that point all customers within the area code would use ten-digit dialing for local calls).

Ultimately, the Commission makes the final decision on which type of relief method is the most suitable. The Commission also is responsible for establishing new area code boundaries (if there is a geographic split or concentrated overlay), establishing necessary dates for the implementation of area code relief plans, and directing public education efforts regarding area code changes.

In 2014 and 2016, area code relief efforts were finalized for two areas in Indiana - 812 and 317 (Cause Nos. 44233 and 44513, respectively). In both cases, the Commission issued all services distributed overlays using area code 930 in the 812 region and 463 in the 317 region. This enabled customers and businesses to keep their existing telephone numbers. Since the changes went into effect, all parties have to dial 10 digits (3-digit area code + 7-digit telephone number) instead of 7 digits for local calls.

In both cases, the Commission approved a 13-month implementation schedule for the transition to 10-digit dialing in these areas. However, in both cases, the Commission extended the permissive dialing period to allow security companies additional time to update equipment. The Commission, the industry, and the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor provided additional customer education and outreach, such as news releases, notices, presentations at trade association meetings, and outreach to various organizations (for example, chambers of commerce, local governments, and associations).

The next area code in Indiana that will need relief is likely to be 765, which is projected to exhaust in the first quarter of 2027. Since NANPA begins area code relief preparation three years in advance of the expected exhaust date, area code relief preparation will begin in the first quarter of 2024 unless the projection changes.