Normally, the more populated region would continue to use the existing area code. The less populated areas would have all existing phone numbers reassigned to use a new area code to free up more numbers in the original area code. This process forced many into a new phone number which would require updates to letterhead, business cards, phone directories, personal contact lists, etc. Many people would dial the incorrect area code which caused confusion.
In , area code was created as the first "overlay" area code. With an overlay area code, the overlay serves the same geographic as the original to increase the pool of numbers available in the area.
When the original phone systems were put in place, 7-digit dialing without the area code could be used to make local calls, and digit dialing with the area code only needed to be used for long distance calls. In , area code was introduced as the first overlay with forced 10 digit dialing for local calls. Initially, there was substantial public resistance to overlays because of the digit dialing requirement for local calls. However, the last area code split in Canada was in with the split of splitting off and the last area code split in the US was in with splitting off No area code splits are currently proposed and both countries have agreed: without exceptional circumstances, all new area codes will be overlays.
Today, 7-digit dialing is broken in most major cities. Many areas not served by an overlay can still use 7-digit dialing. Something besides allocating more area codes needed to be done to improve the system. After a few trials, mandatory number pooling was implemented in with a national rollout to the largest metropolitan areas.
With number pooling, an entire prefix of 10, numbers is allocated to a specific area, but phone numbers are only allocated to a specific carrier in 1, block increments.
While several US markets are still not required to implement number pooling and Canada has no number pooling, the effects dramatically slowed the need to allocate new prefixes and new area codes because of increased utilization. The rate of issuing new area codes dropped to nearly half that of the s.
While it may seem that all consumers in the US use a mobile phone, more than two-thirds of prefixes are allocated for landline use. That number has been dropping by about 3. Not all area codes are assigned to a specific geographic area.
One of the most common are toll-free area codes where the caller is not billed for long distance though wireless customers may have minutes deducted from their plan : , , , , , , and The area code is also currently used for premium services that are billed to the caller at higher than normal long distance rates.
In the s and and early s, numbers were frequently used to target children to run up phone bills, psychic hotlines, adult entertainment, computer help, etc. Legislative protections in the s and the withdrawal of phone companies from passing these fees onto customers has largely killed the number industry. Other caller-pays area codes include , , , , , , , , and Though they see much less usage now, some are still used for dial-up modem access or security systems.
Area codes and are reserved for special telecommunications services and receive little usage. For looking up information on a specific phone number, the free reverse phone lookup allows you to see the name and address of phone numbers listed in the white pages of phone books throughout the US.
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