US Area Codes: Current Status and Future Developments
As of August 2023, the United States does not have a requirement for 4-digit area codes. The traditional area code system uses three-digit codes, and while there have been discussions about the future of area codes due to the increasing demand for phone numbers, any move toward a 4-digit system would require significant changes and is not currently planned or mandated.
Current Status Quo
The current official estimate for running out of numbers in the current 10-digit format is in 2048. At that time, area codes will probably add a digit, but the local number may also add a digit so numbers may jump directly from 10 digits to 12. This looming problem highlights the need for the telecommunications industry to adapt and plan for future growth.
Special Reservations and Restrictions
There are 619 possible area codes not counting area codes reserved for special purposes. More than half of the possible area codes are now in use. For example, area codes of the form NYY (second and third digits the same) like 800, 877, and 344 are reserved as easily remembered codes or as short codes N11 plus 988. Additionally, area codes 950 and 976 are unassignable because they are special prefixes, and area codes 37X and 96X are reserved for special purposes.
Geographic and Non-Geographic Area Codes
As of July 21, 2022, there are 343 geographic area codes in the United States (including territories) plus 46 in Canada and 21 outside the U.S. and Canada. There are 17 more in the U.S. and 7 in Canada that have been announced for the near future. Non-geographic area codes are also in use, with quite a few more reserved, mostly for iPads and similar devices. Even though they can’t place or receive calls, these non-geographic numbers are required for billing and cellular data.
Utilization Statistics
Out of 619 assignable area codes, 410 are in use as geographic area codes, with 24 more announced for the near future. There are currently 8 non-geographic codes that aren’t in the easily remembered pool. This puts us at 442 out of 619 or 71% utilization. The need for additional area codes and numbers underscores the ongoing debate and potential need for change in the telecommunications industry.
If you are looking for specific developments or changes in telecommunications regulations, it is best to check with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or local telecommunications authorities for the most up-to-date information. Stay informed about future changes that may impact your communication needs.