3. Need for a New Area Code
Pursuant to Pub. Util. Code §§ 7936 and 7943(c), before approving any new area code, the Commission must obtain utilization data from NANPA for any area code for which a change is proposed, perform a telephone utilization study and implement all reasonable telephone number conservation measures. 5 Where there is no reasonable alternative other than to create a new area code, the Commission must do so in a way that creates the least inconvenience for customers.6
As set out above, the Commission adopted number conservation measures that extended the life of the 818 area code. Despite these measures, NANPA now projects the 818 area code will exhaust in the third quarter of 2009. NANPA fully supported this projection by providing utilization data and performing a utilization study on the 818 area code.7 The Commission's Communications Division (CD) reviewed the utilization data and study and agrees that the 818 area code will exhaust in the third quarter of 2009. Thus, the statutory requirements of §§ 7936 and 7943(c) have been satisfied. Accordingly, there is no other reasonable alternative but to create a new area code.
5 All citations are to the Public Utilities Code, unless otherwise indicated.
6 Section 7943(a).
7 The utilization data and study consists of NANPA's October 2007 Number Resource and Utilization Forecast and NPA Exhaust Analysis, which form the basis for NANPA's exhaust forecast.
