AUSTIN – The Public Utility Commission of Texas has approved the adoption of additional area code for the greater Dallas area to accommodate continued population growth. It has been estimated that the remaining phone numbers starting with 214, 469 and 972 are on track to run out in the first three months of 2021. When they do so, new numbers beginning with the new area code (945) will be assigned. This new code is expected to meet numbering needs for an additional thirteen years.
“The growth of the population in Dallas and surrounding cities is a reflection of the continued economic vitality in the region and across the state,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “When the availability of jobs intersects with the quality of life in Texas, this kind of growth is to be expected. I applaud the PUC for taking this prudent step.”
Voting on PUC docket 48765, the Commissioners directed the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) to oversee the implementation over the next nine months. The addition of the fourth area code for the region should be a fairly simple process since residents of the numbering plan area have already adapted to ten-digit dialing (including area code).
Customers with existing numbers beginning with 214, 469 and 972 will keep them. New numbers starting with 945 will be assigned when the remainder of those numbers run out in early 2021.
From a historical perspective, the 214 Numbering Plan Area (NPA) was one of the original area codes implemented in 1947 as part of the North American Numbering Plan. In 1996, the 214 NPA was split into the 214 and 972 NPAs. In 1999, the line dividing the 214 and 972 NPAs was eliminated, and the 469 NPA was introduced as an overlay area code covering their combined geographic area.
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