By TIFFANY GEE
Tiffany@newsroom.byu.edu
Sometimes remembering a seven-digit phone number can be tough.
Now try 10.
Changing the standard seven-digit dialing system to include the area code on local calls was one option proposed Tuesday, March 13, at a public meeting at the Women's Council Hall in Provo.
Increased growth in the state of Utah has required an area code relief plan to be implemented, which could affect the future of cities and businesses.
An overlay zone or a two-way split are the options being considered for the affected area.
Under the overlay zone policy, all current telephone numbers would be kept the same. New phone numbers would receive a new area code, according to a report by the Utah Public Service Commission.
All numbers, regardless of where a person is calling from or to, would require 10-digit dialing. Local calls would still be considered local for the purpose of long-distance charges.
A two-way split would divide the area up into two regions. One region would keep the 801 area code and the other would receive a new area code, said Joseph Cocke, senior numbering plan administration relief planner of the western region for NeuStar.
The traditional way of doing things has been the area code split, Cocke said.
As area codes regions split to encompass a smaller area, cities and counties also end up splitting, Cocke said.
One downside to the split is businesses that depend on telephone calls believe their revenue stream is attached to their phone number, and changing that could have an adverse effect, Cocke said.
However, with a split, 7-digit dialing would be permitted within the geographic area, Cocke said.
The overlay, which would be a new concept for Utah, would require customer education, according to the UPSC report.
Due to increased demand for telephone numbers throughout the industry, it is estimated that the 801 area code will run out by the first quarter of 2001, Cocke said.
Cellular phones, pagers, fax machines, modems and Internet access have all increased the demand for telephone numbers, Cocke said.
'It's important to note that no single type of service is driving this plan,' Cocke said.
At present, a monthly rationing process has been implemented which only allows a certain amount of numbers given to service providers each month, Cocke said.
Cocke said the Numbering Plan Administration recommends implementing a new policy by April 2000.
Public meetings are being held throughout the area to discuss area code relief in Salt Lake City, March 16, 7 p.m. at the SLC Public Library, 1575 W. 1000 North; Ogden, March 22, 7 p.m., at the Weber County Commission Chambers, 2380 Washington Blvd.