The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced that it has extended the public comment period until July 31, 2013, to receive public input on how best to create an additional area code in the 315 area code region which serves all or part of 18 northern and central New York counties.

In 2007, the Commission instituted a proceeding, in response to a petition from the telecommunications industry, to implement area code relief in the 315 Numbering Plan Area (NPA), based on exhaust projects from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA).

Following the preliminary relief process, which included extensive public comments, a recommended decision for an overlay code was issued by the presiding Administrative Law Judge on in late 2008. However, shortly after the recommended decision was issued, it was decided to put the initial proceeding temporarily on hold: telephone number conservation efforts, such as thousands-block number pooling, combined with a change in forecast methodology, had extended NANPA forecasts for 315 exhaustion.

Earlier this year, NANPA indicated that that the 315 area code region would be out of assignable central office codes by the first quarter of 2015 at the latest, a fact that requires a restart of the initial proceeding.

Rather than rely solely on the earlier record, the Commission, in light of changes in telecommunication and usage patterns that have occurred since the initial recommended decision was issued, the Commission is now asking for additional public comment. The comments will help to ensure that timely and effective relief for the 315 area code region is in place prior to area code exhaust based on recent NANPA forecasts. The initial comment period was set to end on July 15, 2013.

To view the Recommended Decision on the Commission’s Web site, www.dps.ny.gov., click “Search,” and enter 07-C-1486 in the “Search by Case Number” field.  After clicking to open the case, the RD is associated with filing date 11/26/2008.  Additional information is also available on the Commission’s consumer website www.AskPSC.com, as well as a brief survey which allows customers in the 315 area code region to state their preferences regarding potential solutions to the area code number exhaust issue.  

Ways to Comment

Internet:  Go to the Commission’s Web site (www.dps.ny.gov), look under the headings “What’s Hot” and “Telecommunications,” click on “Comments Sought on 315 Area Code,” then “PSC comment form” or search for Case 07-C-1486 (see explanation above) and then click on "Post Comments" at the top of the page.  Alternately, e-mail comments may be sent directly to the Secretary to the Commission at secretary@dps.ny.gov.

Mail or Delivery:  Comments may be mailed or delivered to Hon. Jeffrey C. Cohen, Acting Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.  All comments submitted to the Secretary will be posted to the Commission’s Web site and become part of the official case record.

Toll-Free Opinion Line:  You may call the Commission's Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120.  This number is set up to take comments about pending cases from in-state callers, 24 hours a day.

Formal comments are requested by Wednesday, July 31, 2013, but they will be accepted throughout the pendency of this proceeding.  Written comments may be accessed on the Web site by searching Case 07-C-1486.  Many libraries offer free Internet access.  If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.