Webb & Associates
35 Fuller Street
Canton, Massachusetts 02021781-575-1600 (voice)
781-575-1477 (fax)
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts will receive relief to its current area codes (NPAs) in its eastern LATA. The new area codes will be:
NPA 857 To Overlay NPA 617;
NPA 339 To Overlay NPA 781;
NPA 351 To Overlay NPA 978
In Docket No. 99-11 & 99-99, the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy (DTE) ordered an all-services overlay relief for the 508, 617, 781 and 978 NPAs. The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) has assigned NPA codes 774, 857, 339 and 351 for this purpose. The overlay NPAs will be in service as of May 2, 2001. In preparation for the new overlay NPAs, permissive 10-digit dialing of local calls will begin on September 15, 2000 and mandatory dialing will begin at 12:01 AM Eastern on April 2, 2001. After the introduction of mandatory 10-digit dialing, the following dialing plan will apply:
- All local calls must be dialed as 10 digits (NPA-NXX-XXXX).
- All toll calls must be dialed as 1+10 digits (1-NPA-NXX-XXXX)
- Operator assisted, third party, and credit card calls must be dialed as 0 + 10 digits (0-NPA- NXX-XXXX).
Additional information regarding the overlay of these new area codes in Massachusetts will be available in the near future. Check back with us for additional updates.
Verizon Update (September 15, 2000): Beginning Friday, Sept. 15, Verizon will start a permissive-dialing period which will continue for about six months. During this time, customers will be able to make local calls using either seven digits or 10 digits (area code + seven-digit phone number). The new codes, which will be overlaid on existing area codes, will become effective on April 2, 2001. At that time, 10-digit dialing for local calls will become mandatory. Customers are encouraged to start using 10 digits immediately to dial local calls.
The new codes are as follows: 857 will overlay on the current 617 AC; 339 will overlay 781; 351 will overlay 978; and, 774 will overlay 508.
Key points to customers:
- Current Eastern MA customers will keep the same area code and number.
- However, after May 1, 2001, customers who order new service, an additional line or move within the area may be assigned a new area code.
- Customers should now think of their phone number as 10 digits.
- The new area codes and 10-digit dialing will not affect regional or local calling area rates.
Last Update: July 29, 2000