The state is addressing the problem of the 315 area code running out of numbers.
Now the public can comment on four options proposed by the state to resolve the issue.
The New York State Public Service Commission released a report Thursday outlining options for possibly adding a second area code to the current 315 area.
Discussion has been ongoing since 1999, when the 315 Numbering Plan Area was projected to be out of assignable numbers by 2002. At that time an overlay relief plan was approved, but numbering conservation measures were taken: underused codes were reclaimed and numbers were pooled, causing the projected exhaust date to be moved back to the third quarter of 2010, when numbers are now expected to run out.
The proposed options include three kinds of geographic splits or an overlay plan.
A geographic split divides the existing 315 code into two areas, leaving the existing area code to serve one portion and assigning a new area code to the remaining portion.
Its advantages include retention of identification of certain locales and avoidance of possible confusion resulting from multiple area codes in single neighborhoods, buildings, or even households and businesses.
Customers would also continue to dial seven digits rather than a possible 11 digits with an alternative method.
Disadvantages are about half of the numbers would change from 315, requiring changes in anything containing phone numbers for businesses or individuals.
Wireless customers would have to go to service providers to get the new code programmed, and consumers would have to dial an area code for numbers that were previously dialable with seven digits. Also, any future code exhaust could result in even more splits and smaller areas.
There are three geographic split options:
• Option one divides the existing code into two geographic areas along rate center boundaries, from east to west. Those below the boundary would include existing sections of Yates, Seneca, Cortland, Chenango, Madison, and Ontario counties and the greater portions of Wayne, Cayuga, and Onondaga counties, and small portions of Oneida and Otsego counties. All of the remaining area north of this line would be located in the other proposed area code.
• Option two divides the existing area code into two geographic areas along rate center boundaries in a general north to south direction. Existing 315 sections of Yates, Seneca, Wayne, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Ontario counties, the greater portion of Oswego County, and a small portion of Oneida and Madison counties would fall to the west of the boundary. All territory east of this line would be located in the other code.
• Option three divides the existing area code into two geographic areas along county boundaries in a general north to south direction. The existing 315 area code sections of Yates, Seneca Wayne, Ontario, Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, and Oswego counties would fall west of the boundary. All territory east of this line would fall on the other side of the boundary.
The overlay plan is another option. It assigns a new area code to a given area by opening up a new code throughout the area of the existing code. Central office codes are assigned as needed for new service requests. Existing customers would not change their codes.
This plan provides long-term area code relief, avoids forced number or area code changes for existing customers, and is easily replicable. It would provide area code relief for 23 to 28 years, from 2033 to 2038.
If an overlay plan is adopted, it would require 10-digit dialing within the geographic area of the existing 315 code. Any call made would require dialing an area code.
Recommendations made by the PSC to provide area code relief in the 315 region will be made by early summer and a final determination could be made by mid-2008.
The public may contact the commission to comment:
• Write to Jaclyn A. Brilling, Secretary, New York state Public Service Commission, 3 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223-1350.
• Call The PSC's toll-free Opinion Line (800) 335-2120 and leave a comment on the recording
• Comment online at www.AskPSC.com.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
The New York State Public Service Commission released a report Thursday outlining options for possibly adding a second area code to the current 315 area.
Discussion has been ongoing since 1999, when the 315 Numbering Plan Area was projected to be out of assignable numbers by 2002. At that time an overlay relief plan was approved, but numbering conservation measures were taken: underused codes were reclaimed and numbers were pooled, causing the projected exhaust date to be moved back to the third quarter of 2010, when numbers are now expected to run out.
The proposed options include three kinds of geographic splits or an overlay plan.
A geographic split divides the existing 315 code into two areas, leaving the existing area code to serve one portion and assigning a new area code to the remaining portion.
Its advantages include retention of identification of certain locales and avoidance of possible confusion resulting from multiple area codes in single neighborhoods, buildings, or even households and businesses.
Customers would also continue to dial seven digits rather than a possible 11 digits with an alternative method.
Disadvantages are about half of the numbers would change from 315, requiring changes in anything containing phone numbers for businesses or individuals.
Wireless customers would have to go to service providers to get the new code programmed, and consumers would have to dial an area code for numbers that were previously dialable with seven digits. Also, any future code exhaust could result in even more splits and smaller areas.
There are three geographic split options:
• Option one divides the existing code into two geographic areas along rate center boundaries, from east to west. Those below the boundary would include existing sections of Yates, Seneca, Cortland, Chenango, Madison, and Ontario counties and the greater portions of Wayne, Cayuga, and Onondaga counties, and small portions of Oneida and Otsego counties. All of the remaining area north of this line would be located in the other proposed area code.
• Option two divides the existing area code into two geographic areas along rate center boundaries in a general north to south direction. Existing 315 sections of Yates, Seneca, Wayne, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Ontario counties, the greater portion of Oswego County, and a small portion of Oneida and Madison counties would fall to the west of the boundary. All territory east of this line would be located in the other code.
• Option three divides the existing area code into two geographic areas along county boundaries in a general north to south direction. The existing 315 area code sections of Yates, Seneca Wayne, Ontario, Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, and Oswego counties would fall west of the boundary. All territory east of this line would fall on the other side of the boundary.
The overlay plan is another option. It assigns a new area code to a given area by opening up a new code throughout the area of the existing code. Central office codes are assigned as needed for new service requests. Existing customers would not change their codes.
This plan provides long-term area code relief, avoids forced number or area code changes for existing customers, and is easily replicable. It would provide area code relief for 23 to 28 years, from 2033 to 2038.
If an overlay plan is adopted, it would require 10-digit dialing within the geographic area of the existing 315 code. Any call made would require dialing an area code.
Recommendations made by the PSC to provide area code relief in the 315 region will be made by early summer and a final determination could be made by mid-2008.
The public may contact the commission to comment:
• Write to Jaclyn A. Brilling, Secretary, New York state Public Service Commission, 3 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223-1350.
• Call The PSC's toll-free Opinion Line (800) 335-2120 and leave a comment on the recording
• Comment online at www.AskPSC.com.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
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