(SAN DIEGO) October 24, 2009 – To ensure there's a continuing supply of telephone numbers within the 760 area code in California, including parts of northern San Diego County, the California Public Utilities (CPUC) is introducing the new 442 area code by way of an area code overlay.

An area code overlay adds a second area code (442) to the same geographic region (760). This allows for multiple area codes to coexist within the same geographic region. An overlay DOES NOT require consumers to change their existing area code or phone number. However overlays do require a new dialing procedure. Since two area codes will now serve the same geographic region, the area code must be used when dialing any telephone number-including calls within the same area code. New or additional telephone numbers (or telecommunications services) will be assigned telephone numbers with the new 442 area code after November 21st.

Your telephone number, including current area code, will NOT change.  To complete calls from a landline phone, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial 1 + area code + telephone number. When a call is made from a cellular phone, dialing 1 is optional.

Calling From	Calling To	Dial
760 Area Code	760 Area Code	1 + 760 + Number
760 Area Code	442 Area Code	1 + 442 + Number
442 Area Code	442 Area Code	1 + 442 + Number
442 Area Code	760 Area Code	1 + 760 + Number

The new dialing procedure will become effective 12:01am October 24th. After this date, if the new dialing procedure is not used, the call will not be completed and a recording will instruct the caller to hang up and dial again.

The new 442 area code will serve customers in the same geographic region as the current 760 area code, which includes these communities: Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Vista, Encinitas, Escondido and Ramona. Residents and businesses with telephone numbers within the 760 area code will retain their current telephone number(s) and area code; however, they will need to dial “1”+ area code + telephone number for all calls. New or additional telephone numbers (or telecommunications services) will be assigned telephone numbers with the new 442 area code.

Additional Information

• Existing 760 telephone numbers, 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 regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• The ability to dial just three digits to reach 911, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811 will not change.
• Cell phone and fax users with telephone numbers that are currently assigned to the 760 area code will be affected by the area code overlay. All customers will need to dial “1”+ area code + telephone number for all calls.
• The 619 and 858 area codes are NOT impacted by this overlay.