We're running out of phone numbers - London needs a new area code
A new area code will be introduced
in the southwestern Ontario
region starting in June 2016.
Currently, the area codes 519 and 226 serve municipalities such as London, Windsor, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Brantford, Sarnia, Woodstock, Stratford and Owen Sound.
A press release from the Telecommunications Alliance says the new area code 548 will be introduced due to the “growing demand for new telephone numbers.”
Project Manager of the Canadian Numbering Administration Glenn Brown says the implementation of 548 is due largely to advances in technology.
“We have a whole lot of advances in technology – cell phones being one – cell phones, tablets and all of those,” he said. “You take all of that combined, and that’s why we’re starting to have a shortage, and the shortage is not just cell phone numbers, it’s the first three digits of the phone number.”
It’s also because southwestern Ontario is a “huge geographic area.”
Area code 519 was introduced in the early ‘50s; it wasn’t until 2006 that 226 rolled out.
Brown says 548 was on the horizon after 226 was put in.
“We were monitoring this as we were putting in 226,” he said. “Because it’s such a large area.
“Originally, based on the way the forecast were working, we were looking to do relief this year. Based on a year ago, our results indicated we were not going to need a new area code in southwestern Ontario until the following year. We’re always monitoring it.”
Brown says the implementation of 548 will affect anyone who uses a phone, not just newcomers or students.
“Let’s say one of your neighbours gets this new number and you ask, ‘What’s your number?’ and they give you the 548 number. Now it’s impacted the person who has the number,” he said. “It also impacts you who wants to call them.”
The press released also says that the introduction of the new area code will not affect special numbers like 9-1-1.
Currently, the area codes 519 and 226 serve municipalities such as London, Windsor, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Brantford, Sarnia, Woodstock, Stratford and Owen Sound.
A press release from the Telecommunications Alliance says the new area code 548 will be introduced due to the “growing demand for new telephone numbers.”
Project Manager of the Canadian Numbering Administration Glenn Brown says the implementation of 548 is due largely to advances in technology.
“We have a whole lot of advances in technology – cell phones being one – cell phones, tablets and all of those,” he said. “You take all of that combined, and that’s why we’re starting to have a shortage, and the shortage is not just cell phone numbers, it’s the first three digits of the phone number.”
It’s also because southwestern Ontario is a “huge geographic area.”
Area code 519 was introduced in the early ‘50s; it wasn’t until 2006 that 226 rolled out.
Brown says 548 was on the horizon after 226 was put in.
“We were monitoring this as we were putting in 226,” he said. “Because it’s such a large area.
“Originally, based on the way the forecast were working, we were looking to do relief this year. Based on a year ago, our results indicated we were not going to need a new area code in southwestern Ontario until the following year. We’re always monitoring it.”
Brown says the implementation of 548 will affect anyone who uses a phone, not just newcomers or students.
“Let’s say one of your neighbours gets this new number and you ask, ‘What’s your number?’ and they give you the 548 number. Now it’s impacted the person who has the number,” he said. “It also impacts you who wants to call them.”
The press released also says that the introduction of the new area code will not affect special numbers like 9-1-1.
