Who Needs A New Area Code? We Don't...Yet

OLYMPIA - Remember that talk a while back about how western Washington was going to need a new area code and we'd have to use 10-digit dialing for all calls -- even local ones within our own current area code?

Looks like we're off the hook for at least another four years.

The state Utilities and Transportation Commission says the existing stock of phone numbers in the 360 area code will now last until 2010. Earlier estimates had it running out as early as 2000, then 2007.

However, during the past year the UTC worked cooperatively with telecommunications companies to identify and set aside unused phone numbers in the "360" area. This means that the existing stock of "360" should last until at least 2010.

The 509 code should handle all the new numbers in Eastern Washington until 2011.

The 206 code in Seattle will last until 2024. The 253 code in Tacoma should last until 2022, and the 425 code in the general Snohomish and east King County areas should make it to 2025.

You may remember the campaign a few years ago where western Washington was going to have an "overlay" area code of 564, which meant all new phone numbers, regardless of your current area code, would have the new area code of 564. That would require dialing all 10 digits of the phone number, even for local calls.

But now that plan is on hold until the need for a new area code arises.