Area code 412 is running out of numbers. At least, that's what the phone company says. In reality, only a small fraction of available numbers in the area code are being used. But many companies have a stockpile of numbers allocated to them for fax machines, cell phones and new lines, causing a problem that is popping up around the country.

Soon Southwestern Pennsylvania must implement a new area code that will take the load off of the 412 code. The question of how this will be done has sparked an ongoing debate.

There are two main options on the table for solving the problem. One solution is called an "overlay." The overlay system would involve assigning new 724 area code numbers only to people who get new lines. The business community likes the idea that their area code won't change, and therefore they won't have to pay big bucks to switch company letterhead and other materials to reflect the changes. The downfall of the plan is that everyone would have to dial at least 10 numbers to make a local call -- an inconvenience at best.

The other plan would be to split the area code geographically. Such a plan could mean that the immediate Pittsburgh area will get to keep area code 412, while the surrounding area gets the 724 numbers. This plan was generally favored by those who took part in an OnTV opinion poll:

5/15/97 8:41
GEOGRAPHICAL SPLIT makes the most sense.It would be ridiculous to have to dial another area code when phoning across the street. A geographical split would also be alot easier to understand for any one not familiar with phoning in the pittsburgh area. I would imagine that the phone company is pushing for the mixing of area codes(probably alot easier for them) however, the general public are the ones using the system. Let's not deviate from a national standard.

5/15/97 11:48
I think the geographic split would make the most sense, however in the end the public is going to find out that this is really going to cost them despite what the phone company says. Detroit is a perfect example of this. They have 2 area codes and they are toll calls. Sometimes less than 1 mile away. With all these free lance phone companies in the mix you can bet that in the end it is going to cost us all.

5/15/97 15:47
Put ALL cel phones, fax machines and computers on the new area code.

5/16/97 15:17
I don't understand the problem. If there are seven million plus numbers available and we are only using less than two million how are we even close to hitting the limit? Last I heard population in Allegheny county is declining. Are we retiring phone numbers or what?

5/16/97 16:16
Move all Cell phones, pagers and the new PCS devices in the area to a new area code. Wait 6months to a year and then you should be able to reassign the old numbers. Keep residential/business numbers in the area in the same area code.

5/17/97 21:14
The overlay solution is absurd! Adoption of such a system would provide literally constant inconvenience to callers. You have a 412 number--your neighbor,or perhaps a phone number in the same residence has a 724 number. Other MAJOR cities such as Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit have rejected the overlay system in favor of a geographic split. We should do the same. Outlying counties such as Greene, Westmoreland, Butler, and/or Washington constitute a convenient method for geographical separation. Lou Ammon, Wexford.

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