Area codes 304 and 681

North American telephone area code 304 was established October 1947 as one of the original area codes, and serves all of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It was overlaid with area code 681, effective March 28, 2009.

Due to West Virginia's low population density, it was one of the last remaining states with only one area code. However, in 2007, news reports indicated that West Virginia would soon need a new area code.[1][2] This was largely due to the proliferation of cell phones and fax machines.

On January 29, 2008, the West Virginia Public Service Commission voted 2-1 for a split of the existing 304 area code, with commission chairman Michael Albert dissenting in favor of an overlay. The proposed split had Charleston and points south (Huntington, Bluefield, Beckley) staying in 304, while the northern and eastern portions of the state (Wheeling, Morgantown, Clarksburg, Parkersburg) would have been split into a new area code.[3] However, telecommunications providers were overwhelmingly in favor of an overlay, as they wanted to spare customers the burden of having to change their numbers. They were still able to ask the Commission to reconsider, or appeal to the West Virginia State Supreme Court, for an overlay instead of a split.

Over the following two weeks, numerous state and local government officials and various business interests voiced strong opposition to a split of 304, in favor of an overlay. Even Governor Joe Manchin voiced his support of an overlay. Several telecommunications providers then officially appealed to the Public Service Commission for an overlay, which was unanimously approved by all three commissioners on February 13, 2008. It is the first example of an entire state previously only served by a single code being overlaid.

At one time, 932 was reserved for use as a future area code in West Virginia, but there has since been a 304-932 exchange code assigned in Charleston.

Implementation dates for 681 code

Implementation dates for permissive and mandatory ten-digit local dialing, as well as the effective date of the overlay, were announced in Neustar NANPA's Planning Letter #375, issued March 21, 2008.[4]

References

  1. "New Area Code Coming to West Virginia". WOWKTV.com. 2007-01-23. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  2. [email protected] (2007-01-25). "New Area Code Coming to West Virginia". State Journal. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  3. WV to get second area code. Associated Press, 2008-01-29.
  4. "NPA 681 to Overlay NPA 304 (West Virginia)" (PDF). NANPA. 2008-03-21. Retrieved 2010-04-16.

External links

West Virginia area codes: 304/681
North: 234/330, 724/878, 240/301, 740
West: 606, 740 area codes 304 & 681 East: 240/301, 540
South: 276
Kentucky area codes: 270/364, 502, 606, 859
Maryland area codes: 240/301, 410/443/667
Ohio area codes: 216, 220, 234, 330, 419, 440, 513, 567, 614, 740, 937
Pennsylvania area codes: 215, 267, 272, 412, 484, 570, 610, 717, 724, 814, 878
Virginia area codes: 276, 434, 540, 571, 703, 757, 804

Coordinates: 38°28′46″N 81°00′47″W / 38.479395°N 81.013184°W / 38.479395; -81.013184

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