Local area code 223 to overlay current 717

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has received notice that the number 223 will be the overlay for the 717 area code.

Current customers' telephone numbers will not change, but when the possible 717 area codes numbers are exhausted, probably by the third quarter of 2017, new numbers will be assigned a 223 area code.

When the new area code is placed into service, customers in the entire region will be required to dial the area code plus the seven-digit number for a total of 10 digits - regardless of whether they are calling a 717 number or a number in the new area code.

The overlay area code will be implemented over a nine-month period.

The new area code designation was selected by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator, Neustar Inc., the neutral third party area code relief planner for Pennsylvania. 

On Oct. 27 the PUC voted 5-0 to approve the NANPA overlay plan, based on extensive public input from throughout the 16-county region in central Pennsylvania served by the 717 area code. The overlay area code relief option was supported by the majority of people who submitted written comments or testified at the PUC’s Smart Hearings, along with the telecommunications industry.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission aims to balance the needs of consumers and utilities; ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For more information visit www.puc.pa.gov.