Additional area code 873 now available for new telephone numbers in the 819 region in Québec

GATINEAU, QC, Sept. 17, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Starting today, the new area code - 873 - is officially available for new telephone numbers in the area currently served by the 819 code in Québec. Increasing demand for telephone numbers, particularly for wireless devices, has created a need for additional numbers to serve customers in the 819 region.

The 873 area code will coexist with the 819 code and will come into effect as new telephone numbers are introduced. It is important to note that 819 numbers will continue to be assigned for the next few months until the area code has reached capacity.

The new 873 code will provide additional telephone numbers in the 819 area with no impact on existing telephone numbers and customers.

"It is important to remind everyone that the new 873 area code is now operational  and that the first blocks of telephone numbers will be allocated to  telecommunications service providers over the coming months for assignment to their customers," said  Glenn Pilley, Director of the Canadian Numbering Administration.

The introduction of a new area code in a region does not affect the local calling areas or the way long distance calls are dialled. Special numbers like 9-1-1 will still be dialled using only three digits. Local calls, including local calls from an 819 number to an 873 number, will be made using 10-digit dialling.

The 819 area code serves western, northern and central Québec, including the following regions: the Outaouais, Abitibi, Temiscamingue, the Higher Laurentians, central Québec (Trois-Rivières, Grand-Mère, Drummondville, Victoriaville) and part of the Eastern Townships (Sherbrooke, Magog).

Other new area codes in Canada

Starting March 25, 2013, two new area codes will be introduced in the Greater Toronto Area. In Toronto, the 437 area code will be added to the 416/647 area codes and the 365 area code will be introduced in the area served by the 905/289 area codes. New area codes will also be introduced in the upcoming months in several other regions throughout Canada including Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

The Telecommunications Alliance

The Telecommunications Alliance was formed to create awareness about the introduction of new area codes. The Alliance is comprised of Bell, Rogers, TELUS and Vidéotron. For more information about new area codes in Canada, please consult the website at: www.newareacodes.ca

SOURCE: TELECOMMUNICATIONS ALLIANCE

Kristin Gable, Citoyen Optimum, [phone], [email protected]