6. Discussion

The Commission adopted a split rather than an overlay for the 818 area code in D.99-10-022. However, due to the passage of time, it is reasonable to reconsider that decision.

While most customers responded in favor of the overlay, many did not. The reason most commonly cited was the inconvenience of 1+10-digit dialing.⁸ In addition, some members of the public opposed any change at all or preferred that there be a unique area code for a given geographic area. While we are sympathetic to these concerns, some level of inconvenience and change is inevitable to expand the supply of telephone numbers available in this region. Ceasing to issue new telephone numbers is not a viable option. Overall, we conclude that the overlay will cause the least inconvenience for consumers and is the option preferred by customers and the industry. Thus, we adopt it as proposed. However, there is a need for a PEP to facilitate implementation of the overlay.

⁸ In ordering paragraph 5 of D.96-12-086, the Commission ordered that mandatory 1+10-digit dialing "be implemented as a condition of approving any overlay, but only in the NPA regions covered by the overlay" to alleviate any anticompetitive consequences of an area code overlay.