The 559 is getting crowded.
That’s the official phrase the state’s Public Utilities Fee, which regulates privately owned public utilities like telecommunications, and saying this week the approval of a second space code to serve Fresno and the San Joaquin Valley.
Introducing the 357.
The 559 is predicted to expire of obtainable prefixes (that’s the primary three numbers following the realm code) by winter 2025. As of February, there have been solely 57 prefixes left, according to the commission, having traditionally been assigned out at a price of 1 or two per thirty days. The brand new space code, referred to as an overlay, will turning into out there as soon as these quantity have all been exhausted.
Current clients will hold the 559 space code and particular phone numbers. New clients will obtain the 357 demarcation.
The overlay does imply that telephone customers should dial a 1 + space code and telephone quantity for all calls. The value of calls gained’t change and clients will nonetheless be capable of dial three digit service numbers like 911.
The previous 209
Whereas some have taken the 559 space code as a part of Fresno’s cultural id (search for the branded t-shirts and tattoos) these of a sure age will keep in mind when Central California was within the 209.
In 1998, the Public Utilities Fee launched a brand new space code and cut up the area geographically; 209 north by way of Modesto and Stockton and 559 to the south by way of Fresno, Madera, Kings and Tulare counties. It was met with appeals from elected officers and companies, who have been all of a sudden pressured to vary their stationery, enterprise playing cards and brochures; issues a lot simply completed within the digital age.
And the realm code has served higher than anticipated.
On the time of its creation, it was anticipated the 559’s numbering system would solely final 15-18 years, in accordance with a narrative in The Fresno Bee. At one level, regulators warned it may run out of numbers by 2004.
Final yr, a 350 code overlay was added to the 209 area.
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