New area code 672 for British Columbia

VANCOUVER, May 23, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Starting May 4, 2019, an additional area code will be introduced in British Columbia. The introduction of the new area code 672 is the result of a decision by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and is intended to meet the continuously growing demand for more telephone numbers.

"The introduction of a new area code creates millions of additional telephone numbers without affecting the existing numbers," said Glen Brown, Director of the Canadian Numbering Administrator. "The new area code 672 will be added to the current 604, 250, 778 and 236 area codes already in use in British Columbia."

The new area code will be introduced gradually across the province starting on May 4, 2019. After this date, consumers and businesses requesting a new phone number may receive one with the new area code. Numbers with the new 672 area code will only be assigned to customers once there is no longer a sufficient supply of numbers with the existing area codes – 604, 250, 778 and 236.

The introduction of a new area code in a region does not affect the geographic boundaries for local calling areas or the way long distance calls are dialed. Special numbers such as 211, 311, 411, 611 and 911 will not be affected and will still be dialed using only three digits.

Other new area codes in Canada
Starting on November 24, 2018, a new area code – 367 – will be introduced in the regions of Québec currently served by area codes 418 and 581.  Other new area codes will also be introduced in the upcoming years in New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador.

Background information
The first area code in British Columbia, 604, was introduced in 1947. In 1996, the additional area code 250 was introduced to serve most of British Columbia (except the Lower Mainland), while the Lower Mainland retained the 604 area code. Over the years, increasing demand for telephone numbers – particularly for wireless devices– and changes in the competitive environment created a need for additional numbers to serve customers in the province. In response to this increasing demand, the area code 778 was added in 2001 in the Lower Mainland served by area code 604 and then extended to cover the entire province in 2007. In 2013, a fourth area code – 236 – was introduced to cover the entire province.

The Telecommunications Alliance
Canada's major telecommunications service providers have joined forces to develop a communications campaign informing the public about the introduction of new area codes in certain calling areas.  For more information about new area codes in Canada, please visit newareacodes.ca.

SOURCE Alliance des télécommunicateurs

Marc-André Tremblay, Citoyen Optimum, [email protected], [phone]