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PHILADELPHIA – All customers with the existing 215 or 267 area codes should be prepared for the introduction of the new 445 area code. Verizon announced today that beginning on March 3, 2018, customers in Philadelphia and its surrounding area requesting new service, an additional line, or in some cases, moving their service may be assigned a number in the new 445 area code.
To ensure a continuing supply of new telephone numbers for Philadelphia and its surrounding area, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approved an area code overlay. The new 445 area code will be “overlaid” or superimposed over the area now served by the 215 and 267 area codes.
Important facts that customers need to know about the upcoming 445 area code overlay are:
- Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
- The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
- What is a local call now will remain a local call.
- Calls within and between the 215, 267, and 445 area codes are local calls.
- You will continue to dial area code + telephone number for all local calls.
- You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all calls to other area codes.
- You can still dial just three digits to reach 911.
- If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 are currently available in your community, you will still dial these codes with just three digits.
Customers should continue to identify their telephone number as a ten-digit number (area code + 7 digit telephone number), and continue to include the area code when giving the number to their friends, family, business associates and customers, etc.
Customers should ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 445 area code as a valid area code, and should continue to program telephone numbers to include the area code. Some examples of such equipment are life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, stored telephone numbers in mobile and cordless phone contact lists, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems or gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions. Customers also should ensure their websites, business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, contact information, and personal or pet ID tags include the area code.
If Verizon wireline customers have questions, they should call 1-800 VERIZON (1-800-837-4966); Verizon wireless customers should visit the Frequently Asked Questions webpage or call 1-800-922-0204. Learn more at Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
