The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) announced on Thursday, Feb. 13, that residential, business and wireless customers within the existing area codes that serve The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Marble Hill section of Manhattan should begin to prepare for the introduction of a new area code (465), once the supply of central office codes under the existing area codes exhausts.

 

“With increased telephone usage, we must accommodate the growing demand for phone numbers,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “The new area code will ensure that there are enough phone numbers available for New Yorkers.”

 

To meet the increasing demand for phone numbers, earlier this year, Commission officials said the Commission approved an overlay area code to be added to the current region of area codes (347) / (718) / (917) / (929) that serves portions of the New York City metropolitan area. They said the Commission determined that the overlay was the best option to enhance the public interest in the region by providing long-term relief, the least expense, and minimal disruption to consumers.

 

Officials said the area codes at issue are expected to exhaust in the fourth quarter of 2026, and the new area code will be assigned to newly issued telephone numbers in the region and will apply to all telephone numbers, regardless of service type. Therefore, customers in the region requesting new service, an additional line, or a move in the location of their service, may be assigned a number in the new (465) area code but only once all unassigned telephone numbers in the current area codes are exhausted.

 

They said existing customers in the region will not be impacted by the new overlay area code. They also explained that because 10-digit dialing is already well established in this region, the eventual addition of the new area code covering the same geographic area will not require any changes to the way area residents and businesses dial telephone calls, aside from using the new area code, when necessary.

 

Officials said the new area code is projected to provide telephone numbers for approximately 11 years. They said important facts that consumers and businesses need to know about the upcoming area code overlay are:

 

• Current telephone numbers, including current area code, will not change.
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
• What is a local call now will continue to remain a local call.
• Calls between the 465 and the 347/718/917/929 area codes are local calls.
• Consumers will continue to dial the area code + telephone number for all calls to other area codes.
• Calls to reach 911 Emergency Service will remain three digits.

 

Officials said customers should ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, applications, software, or other types of equipment recognize the new (465) area code as a valid area code. Some examples are life safety systems, fax machines, internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, mobile phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions.

 

They said in keeping with past practice, business stationery, advertising materials, personal checks, and personal or pet ID tags should include the area code.

 

The Commission’s rulings in this proceeding may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 24-C-0314 in the input box labeled “Search for Case/Matter Number”. Many libraries offer free internet access.

 

Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). Anyone who has difficulty understanding English can also call 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services.