New area code is coming to the 416/647

[FutureHeartsJunkie]

People who live in the 416/647 and/or have phone numbers (fax, voip, landline, mobile) with those area codes - listen up! A new area code will be coming "off the production line" starting in 2013. The CRTC (Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Corporation) has confirmed that area code 437 will be rolled out in the 416/647 calling area. The main reason for this is the rapidly growing population in the Toronto area. Since area code 647 was introduced a decade ago (along with 10-digit dialing), many critics believe that a new area code is not necessary. Others believe that at the current rate, numbers with the 647 dialing code are simply running out.

Apart from the new area code 437, another area code (for the same city) will be reserved for future use. The new future area code will be 387. While there is no firm date on when the new area code 387 will be in place, the new area code 437 will be in squadron service by 2013.

The 905/289 has got another area code 365. Montreal has 438 (in addition with 514) along with its suburban communities (off-island municipality) in the North Shore and South Shore already got the 579 area code (along with the 450). A number of municipalities have recently started 10-digit dialing or in the process of starting 10-digit dialing.

My question is, how does the new area code affects you?

References:

"Toronto’s two new area codes approved." Toronto Star. 22 July 2011. 22 July 2011. <http://www.thestar.com/business/article/10...-codes-approved>

"437 becomes Toronto's newest area code." CTV.ca. 22 July 2011. 22 July 2011. <http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTV...=TorontoNewHome>

"Toronto to get new 437 area code." CBC.ca. 22 July 2011. 22 July 2011. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/stor...a-code6549.html>

[9924]

Doesn't effect me at all so

We went to a 250 area code from the old 604 back in 1996, but even then the switch was no biggy ... the only thing that has really been hard getting used to is the 10 digit dialing code having to add the area code even for a local number ... something I've just never understood and pointless IMHO.

[Nabinut]

I'm curious of something...does the CRTC base their area code numbers from the U.S or are they totally seperate and follow their own pattern?

[general682002]

I'm curious of something...does the CRTC base their area code numbers from the U.S or are they totally seperate and follow their own pattern?

The CRTC does their own for Canada for telephone regulations! The US have their own.

As of the new area code, it doesn't affect me!

[BBfellow]

Maybe its just me, but 416, and 905 have a ring to it. I disliked 647 since its birth, but sadly I carry a 647 number.

[vivablue5215]

Maybe its just me, but 416, and 905 have a ring to it. I disliked 647 since its birth, but sadly I carry a 647 number.

Only one 647 number in this household, and it's not me .

Well we do associate the GTA outside Toronto as the 905 region quite often, maybe that's why.

One thing that gets me is the 289 code (alternate to 905). I only know three people who have a 289 number (one of them on this board).

[Buurin]

No 647 in my home. 10-digit dialing just need getting used to and the phone book function of your phone makes it that much easier.

[jlarocque2005]

delete :|

[9924]

Looks like BC is getting a 3rd area code next year ...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-colu...-area-code.html

... I like the system that they use in Germany ... each mobile phone provider has their own "area code" used only for that provider. Keeps the need for new area codes on land lines the way they are and lets you know if your calling a certain network just to keep your bill down if you have free network to network calling and calling any mobile phone from a mobile phone within Germany is a considered a local call (local rates apply) no matter where the phones are located.

[jlarocque2005]

Looks like BC is getting a 3rd area code next year ...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-colu...-area-code.html

You can add the 819 region of Quebec to the list. Looks like new area codes are poping up across Canada

[TheAverageJoe]

You can add the 819 region of Quebec to the list. Looks like new area codes are poping up across Canada

Most of North America has either new area codes coming out or new area codes set aside for future use due to increase use of mobile devices

[FutureHeartsJunkie]

Most of North America has either new area codes coming out or new area codes set aside for future use due to increase use of mobile devices

Don't forget VOIP lines as well!

[Gil]

I'm curious of something...does the CRTC base their area code numbers from the U.S or are they totally seperate and follow their own pattern?

North America, most of the Caribbean and US Territories in the Pacific (essentially anywhere that uses 1 as a country code: ex. +1-###) are all under the jurisdiction of the North American Numbering Plan Administration. They oversee that we don't get duplicate area codes or that similar ones don't get implemented in areas that could possibly cause confusion. Canada has its own agency (Canadian Numbering Adminstrator) which cooperates with NANPA when adding new area codes.

As for the new area code, I think 437 is a bit confusing as it looks like a combination of the two exisiting area codes. I know people who abbreviate the area code by using the first number: 4-555-1234. So far it works for all of the area codes in the GTA (416/647/905/289/365). Having another area code starting with a 4 would mean having to use the full area code. An area code starting with a 5, 7 or 8 would have been nice. The other potential area codes were: 474, 568, 639, 851, 871, 879 and 942.

Given that the pool of future Canadian codes is so small (the bulk of the future numbers went to the US, with a handful set aside for the Caribbean) we'll either need a separate country code, go to 4-digit area codes or 8-digit phone numbers or some combination of them.

Since there is an overall scheme to doling out area codes across North America having carrier-based area codes could be problematic. How does that reconcile with long fought for number poratbility? If you change carriers you would automatically be forced to change your number. The changing landscape of carriers both here and in the US would also be somewhat problematic for implementation. Both Canada and the US are large countries and having one area code (or possibly a set of them) apply to a carrier would make it difficult to determine which numbers are potentially long distance. In a smaller country having an area code cover the entire country isn't as much of a problem.