A new area code, 10-digital dialing are coming to Centre County. Here’s what to know
A second area code is coming as soon as spring 2021 to a majority of Centre County, the state Public Utilities Commission announced Thursday.
The “582” area code is expected to be assigned to new telephone numbers in a 27-county region across central and northwestern Pennsylvania once all numbers in the “814” area code are exhausted.
The new overlay is projected to provide new telephone numbers to the region for about 67 years, the PUC said.
There will be no change for residents and businesses that already have a phone number with an “814” area code. The biggest adjustment will likely be a switch to 10-digit dialing.
Callers will be required to dial the area code, plus the seven-digit phone number for calls. Residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily switch to 10-digit dialing in the “814” area code starting Oct. 3.
The new dialing system is set to become required April 1, and the new overlay is scheduled to be placed into service May 1.
The “814” area code was established in 1947 and is one of Pennsylvania’s four original area codes. It is the largest area code in the state and the last to undergo changes because existing numbers have been exhausted.
This story was originally published May 14, 2020 at 12:09 PM.