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For Immediate Release: 01/20/22 Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
22006 / 21-C-0473
January 20, 2022
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PSC Approves New Area Code for Nassau County |
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Area Code Will be Added to Existing 516 Area Code in Nassau County ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced that an additional area code has been authorized for Nassau County, Long Island. The new area code will provide additional much-needed phone numbers for residents and businesses in the existing 516 area code region. The new area code is expected to be activated before the second quarter of 2023.
“As a result of a robust economy and strong demand for telecommunication services on Long Island, we need to establish a new area code,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “With the addition of the new area code, Nassau County will be well-positioned to accommodate future economic growth and to satisfy growing consumer demand. Further, our decision will ensure local telephone service remains available.”
With its decision today, the Commission approved a petition of the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) to establish an all-services area code overlay as the appropriate means of providing numbering relief for the 516-area code in Nassau County. The existing 516 area code is expected to be exhausted, or run out of available numbers, no later than the second quarter of 2023. The all-services overlay has a projected life of approximately 49 years.
With the Commission’s decision, all existing Nassau County wireline and wireless telephone customers in the overlay area will retain their current 516 area code and telephone numbers, i.e., the new area code would cover requests for new phone numbers once the 516-area code is fully exhausted. The three-digit number that will be the new area code will be announced in the near future.
Although mandatory 10-digit dialing will be required, in this instance, the new area code will not affect the number of digits that customers in the 516-area code must dial, because 516 customers are already transitioning to mandatory 10-digit dialing due to the implementation of the 988 abbreviated dialing code to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is currently underway and scheduled to be completed by July 16, 2022.
NANPA’s petition recommended that the Commission approve an all-services overlay in the 516-area code due to its longer relief lifespan and simplicity to implement compared to other options. The petition also sought Commission approval of a nine-month schedule to implement the overlay area code relief plan. The petition stated that, once approved, the Industry will convene to select specific milestone dates that will allow the new area code to be fully implemented by no later than the first quarter of 2023. This end date is in accord with the Industry’s area code relief guidelines, which state that a new area code should normally be implemented six months prior to exhaust, but under extraordinary situations can be implemented no later than three months prior to exhaust.
Today’s decision may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 21-C-0473 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release. |
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