June 23, 2003 Docket #: R.95-04-043, I.95-04-044
Media Contact: PUC Press Office, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov
PUC ANNOUNCES PUBLIC MEETINGS ON PROPOSALS
FOR 909 AREA CODE CHANGE
The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is taking steps to adopt a contingency plan to provide for the possibility of an area code change for the 909 area code. The PUC will hold the following public meetings to receive input on proposals regarding the 909 area code:
· Riverside - Saturday, July 12, 10 a.m., Riverside City Hall, Council Chambers, 3900 Main St.
· San Bernardino - Tuesday, July 15, 7 p.m., San Bernardino City Hall, Council Chambers, 300 N. D St.
· Murrieta - Wednesday, July 16, 2 p.m., Murrieta City Hall, Council Chambers, 26442 Beckman Court
· Moreno Valley - Wednesday, July 16, 7 p.m., Moreno Valley City Hall, Council Chambers, 14177 Frederick St.
· Ontario - Thursday, July 17, 7 p.m., Ontario Senior Community Center, 225 E. B St.
In 2000, the PUC suspended plans to change the 909 area code; however, in June 2002, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) filed with the Commission proposals for a new area code in the 909 territory. These meetings will give consumers the opportunity to hear about that proposal, propose their own area code change plan, ask questions, and express their opinion to the Commission staff.
The proposals before the Commission include:
1. An area code split with approximately one-half of the current 909 area code receiving a new area code - 951. Both wireless and wireline telephones, faxes, modems, and other uses currently assigned 909 numbers in the affected geographic area would receive the new 951 area code. Under this industry proposal, the portion of the 909 area code in San Bernardino County and a small portion of eastern Los Angeles County would keep the 909 area code. The portion of the current 909 area code in Riverside County would receive the 951 area code. More complete descriptions of the proposal including maps are located on the Commission website, www.cpuc.ca.gov. or
2. A generalized overlay throughout the current 909 geographic area with all new telephone numbers assigned to wireless and wireline telephones, faxes, modems, and other uses receiving the new 951 area code. Callers dialing within the 909 area code, from 909 to the new area code, or within the new 951 area code would have to dial 1 + 10 digits, including the appropriate area code, for all calls.
3. Any other proposals that consumers wish to submit.
Neither plan would affect the amount consumers pay for telephone service.
In an effort to preserve area codes and minimize costs to homes and businesses of changing phone numbers, the PUC monitors compliance by telecommunication carriers with the telephone number conservation rules the Commission has implemented during the past three years. These rules have staved off what appeared in 1999 to be the necessity of adding 16 new area codes to California's roster of 25 area codes.
Those who need special assistance, such as language interpretation, should contact the PUC Public Advisor's Office at least five days before the meeting that person plans to attend. Please call 1-866-849-8391 or 213-576-7055; TTY 1-866-836-7825 or 415-703-5282.
Those who cannot attend may comment by writing or e-mailing the Public Advisor:
PUC, Public Advisor
320 West 4th St., Suite 500
Los Angeles, CA 90013 -or-
public.advisor.la@cpuc.ca.gov
Please refer to the respective docket/proceeding number(s) in your letter or e-mail.
For more information about the proposals, please visit the PUC's website at http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/static/industry/telco/area+code+info/909areachange.htm. # # #
