Be prepared to soon dial 878, our third area code
PITTSBURGH: If you thought adapting to the 724 area code was an adventure, wait until you experience 878.
Beginning this summer, 878 will be the Pittsburgh region's third area code. It will mean that everyone -regardless of area code - must dial 10 digits every time to complete a call.
The new area code's impact will be different than 724, which was introduced in 1998. With that addition, the old 412 region was split in two, and the suburbs changed their numbers to 724 area codes.
The new 878 code will be an overlay, meaning it will exist within the 412 and 724 regions. Beginning Aug. 18, new telephone numbers in these regions might be assigned an 878 number.
So, even if a resident has a 724 number or a 412 number, a new neighbor's number might be 878.
'What's possible also is if you have one line in your home that is a 724 or a 412 and you get a second line for a fax or a modem, you could get an 878 number for that,' Public Utilities Commission spokeswoman Verna Edmonds said.
Billing for local calls will not change, however. Local calling areas will stay the same even if callers have to dial a different area code. Also, long distance calls still will require dialing 1 before the number.
And when you dial across the street or down the block, regardless of your area code, you will have to dial 10 digits.
In fact, the 10-digit dialing has been possible for almost a year. And beginning July 12, it will be necessary. Numbers dialed with just seven digits will not go through.
Verizon Communication has been promoting the 10-digit dialing change since last year, using keychains, magnets, coloring books and ads on the scoreboard at the new PNC Park, spokesman Lee Gierczynski said.
The company also has been sending notices to its business customers, reminding them that the 10-digit dialing change will require some automated phone systems and computer modems to be reprogrammed.
PUC and phone company officials recognize some phone customers might balk at the increased dialing, but said the change is a sign of the times and other regions of the country already are dialing 10 digits.
Like the creation of the 724 area code, the 878 was made necessary by two developments:
The 10,000-block system was created by the Federal Communications Commission in 1947, when AT&T provided the only phone service in the nation.
In 1996, however, the telephone industry was deregulated and many companies got in the business of providing telephone service. Each was assigned 10,000-number blocks of new numbers for its rate areas, although many needed far fewer.
The FCC is considering changing its rules so that smaller blocks of numbers can be assigned.
The PUC is experimenting in the 610 area code west of Philadelphia to allow companies to return unused numbers in blocks of 1,000 to be reassigned, thereby putting off the need for a new code.
Although the plan to split the 412 code in 1998 was expected to hold off this region's need for a third until 2003, more numbers were needed than had been expected.
'Competition for local telephone service in western Pennsylvania has really accelerated faster than people anticipated,' Gierczynski said.
New phone numbers will not automatically be given an 878 code after Aug. 18 because there still are 412 and 724 numbers. Once they run out, however, 87s will be assigned.
Gierczynski said it isn't clear when the first 878 numbers will be assigned, but it is certain 10-digit dialing will be necessary by July 12. Or, better yet, start today. 'We may as well start now,' he said.
