Carriers Call FCC On Slow Numbering Action

Communications Today, August 23, 1999

Regulatory wheels on number depletion grind too slowly to help carriers.

"We're going to be at exhaust soon if some of the states don't make decisions," said Bell Atlantic Mobile's [BEL] Dan Mullin.

States' numbering options are limited to adding new area codes, or expanding the boundaries in which central office codes can be used. The FCC could give states more latitude, but won't decide until late this year. That could be too late in some areas. New area codes or other relief measures take a year to 15 months to implement.

The North American Numbering Plan Administration says more than 60 area codes around the country are in jeopardy. Much of Bell Atlantic Mobile's network is in jeopardy or near-jeopardy areas. And only one of those, Northern Virginia's 703 code, has relief in sight, Mullin says. Virginia officials decided to overlay the 521 code within the 703 area in March.