The 610 and 484 Area Codes Will Soon Become 835 (Unpublished)

 

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) announced Thursday that “835” will become the new area code for certain parts of PA.

The Lehigh, Berks, Delaware, Chester, Northampton counties and a section of Montgomery County will have their area codes changed. The PUC believes the “610” and “484” area codes will be relinquished by the year 2023. On Thursday, the PUC granted the passage of a petition created by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA).

The 38 page petition passed following a vote of 3-0 from PUC's board. NANPA is actually a third-party that redistributes telephone numbering resources, they remained a neutral entity throughout the processes. The “610” area was created for these counties back in 1994, when the previous “215” area code became obsolete and changed. Then in 1999, the “484” area code was brought in to provide relief to the “610” area code designation because of the influx of population within these areas.

The petition was finalized on August 12th of this year.  You could read the petition right at this link. Pages one through six are really all you have to know, but its nice to have entities changing aspects of your life to release something for the public to see.

A PUC spokesperson said the following about the matter, “Because 10-digit dialing is already well established in this region, the eventual addition of the new 835 area code covering the same geographic area will not require any changes to the way area residents and businesses dial telephone calls – aside from using the new area code, when necessary.”

The PCU took the time to even release some tips for residents and businesses in the 610/484 region to prepare for the new 835 area code:

• Checking devices to verify that area codes are included with all stored numbers.
• Continuing to program/save/store phone numbers to all devices using the full 10-digit telephone number.
• Verifying that all services and equipment – such as automatic dialers, life-safety & medical alert systems, alarm/security systems and security gates, call-forwarding settings and voicemail services – recognize the new area code as a valid phone number.

The PUC will continue to update consumers and businesses in the 610/484 region as the implementation of the new 835 area code draws closer.

27 years, to date, of these area codes are soon to come to an end. Some say change is necessary, but do you think this one is?

Let us know in the comments and for more news head to classixphilly.com.