Area code is prefixed in telephone numbers before making any call. This code is usually issued for a particular area.
While making any call, some states require a 10-digit number so, you need to dial the area code with the 7-digit telephone number to succeed the call. However, numbers like 911 and 411 don’t require any area code.
This system mostly follows in countries like the US and Canada.
Telephone companies and regulators prefer dialing extra numbers to avoid costly equipment upgrades. In addition, it allows them to use a numbering system.
In this article, we will discuss all the essential things you need to know about Area codes.
What is the area code?
Area code is used to serve a particular telephone service area. This code is used primarily in countries like the United States of America and Canada.
You can quickly identify this 3-digit number while making calls.
In other words, to make any local calls, you need to include the area code at the start of any telephone number.
In addition, national access codes include while quoting the area codes. Usually, the area code is preceded by a federal access code.
Let’s make you understand this by example, a number in London is 020 7646 3201. You may easily interpret here that 020 is the code served in London.
If you make a call from another station within London, you will dial a number after typing 020. If you are dialing from another country, “0” in the initiative would be omitted after the country code.
Geographical vs. overlay
The telephone administration has two options to implement any new area code: either use a geographical split or overlay.
Let’s discuss both terms in detail.
What is a geographic split?
Under a geographical, a line draws through an existing area code. A new area code is assigned to customers who live on one side of the line, and on the other side, customers use the current area code.
However, it is an extensive process because many customers need to change their telephone numbers and switch to new telephone numbers.
Changing the number according to the new area code may need to reprint their business cards, Boucher, stationary, and many more things. On the other hand, individuals need to inform their family and friends.
What is an overlay?
Under the overlay, two area codes work in the same area at the same time. In an existing geographic region, overlay adds a new area code.
In addition, existing customers don’t need to change their number, and new customers may be listed with the new area code. Besides, some circumstances allow customers to choose between the old and the new area code.
Benefits of using local Area Code
Expand your business: If you run any business, you can virtually expand your business to a new location with a local phone number.
Expense: Your business can save a lot of expenses because of the competitive prices offered by Global call forwarding. In addition, you do business with saving costs to help you expand where you want.
Marketing and advertising:
Local area code is so beneficial when it comes to virtual advertising and marketing. Besides, you can do your brand advertising in specific regions by using area codes.
In addition, you can track your marketing department efforts by using virtual phone numbers.
Be Global with Local: It’s good if you’re running a business globally. But providing the best customer service increases your business so, a local area code phone number will help potential customers to reach your business more personable.
Stay Reachable: Don’t miss a potential customer! Make sure to use advanced features so the call is always appropriately answered. You can use geographic routing and time-of-the-day-like tools.
Caller ID: Your business doesn’t need to share their personal information through this phone number because whenever you make outbound calls, your virtual phone number may appear.
Numbering Plan
Telecommunication uses this type of numbering scheme to assign telephone numbers. For example, Telephone numbering plan, private numbering plan, etc.
Territories divide into geographical areas into cases where telecommunication administration manages a large country’s telecommunication infrastructure. The numbering plan area(NPA) in the United States and Canada is divided by AT&T. Then, they assign a particular 3-digit prefix for each NPA.
This division helps in better management and creating a subdivision of territory on the basis of provinces and states.
Further, The subdivision area can be identified in a numbering plan with a routing code.
The Numbering Plan uses a wide variety of design strategies evolute from the history network and local requirements. Moreover, it includes both the closed and open numbering plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have collected some most asked questions related to area codes and answered them in the most understandable way.
Let’s discuss each question one by one below.
You may be wondering in your location which area code is served.
For this, you need to first find your general area, and it is enough to find your area code by any search tool in Google.
In cases where multiple area codes are listed for the exact location, This happens because, at that point, most of the phone numbers are in use. You may use an overlay that is specially created for serving more phone numbers in that area.
Assigning a new area code on need and tracking the consumption of telephone numbers is done by NANPA (The North American Numbering Plan Administrator).
Area codes implement on two bases, either an overlay or the geographical split.
10-digit dialing is a combination of a 3-digit area code and a 7-digit telephone number. To make a local call, you need to dial the 10-digit telephone number.
Conclusion
To conclude, We have discussed all the essential information you need to know about area codes and how the different regions have different codes. In addition, we have answered some of the most asked questions about area code.
