360 area code good for a few more years

JOHN STARK - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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A new area code and 10-digit dialing for local phone numbers can be postponed for another four years, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission ruled last week.

Because of the increased demand for new telephone numbers, the Federal Communications Commission had earlier estimated that a new area code would have to be added in the territory currently using the 360 area code as soon as 2010.

But the state utilities commission has been working with telecommunications companies to detect and recycle unused numbers, and that effort has been successful enough to stretch the available supply of numbers for a few more years.

"Introducing new area codes is disruptive and costly to residents and businesses in the state and 10-digit dialing is inconvenient," state utilities chairman Mark Sidran said in a press release. "We commend the companies for working with us to conserve the existing supply of 360 phone numbers, delaying a new area code as long as possible."