Area Code Atlas

Area code 215 established as an original NPA

In 1947, area code 215 was established as one of the original North American area codes, serving the Delaware and Lehigh valleys in southeastern Pennsylvania, including the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

NANP - INTRODUCTION OF INTERCHANGEABLE CENTRAL OFFICE CODES IN THE 215 NPA

NANP-SPLIT OF 215 (PENNSYLVANIA) NUMBERING PLAN AREA (NPA)

Boundary adjustment between 215 and 717

In 1994, a few towns in eastern Lancaster County and western Chester County originally slated to transfer to area code 610 were instead shifted to area code 717 to consolidate non-Bell company subscribers in eastern Pennsylvania.

Area code 610 split from 215

Area code 610 was placed in service on January 8, 1994, as a geographic split from area code 215. The new code covered eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania, including the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia suburbs, while 215 continued to serve the Philadelphia core.

Three central offices moved from 215 to 717 instead of 610

As part of the 1994 reconfiguration, three central offices were moved from 215 to 717 rather than 610: Denver's 267 exchange, Adamstown's 484 exchange, and Terre Hill's 445 exchange.

Area code 610 in service

Area code 610 was placed in service on January 8, 1994, as an overlay for southeastern Pennsylvania, following a split from area code 215 in 1947. It covers regions including Allentown, Bethlehem, and Reading.

Mandatory dialing for 215 and 610

Permissive dialing for both area codes 215 and 610 ended on January 7, 1995. After this date, callers were required to use the correct area code for calls within the affected regions.

NANP-Declaration of Jeopardy Situation in NPA 215 (Pennsylvania)

Extraordinary NPA-Specific Conservation Procedures for 215 and 412 NPAs (Pennsylvania)

NPA 267 overlays 215

Area code 267 was established as an overlay on the 215 numbering plan area to provide additional numbering resources for Philadelphia and surrounding areas. This required ten-digit dialing for local calls within the region.

Ten-digit dialing became necessary across the Delaware/Pennsylvania border

With the 267 overlay, local calls across the Delaware/Pennsylvania border required ten-digit dialing.

Changes to Extraordinary NPA-Specific Conservation Procedures for 215 and 717 NPAs (Pennsylvania)

NANP-Overlay of 215 (Pennsylvania) Numbering Plan Area (NPA) with 267 NPA

Consensus reached for overlays 445 and 835

On May 18, 2000, the Pennsylvania telecommunications industry reached consensus to implement area code 445 as an overlay for NPAs 215 and 267, and area code 835 as an overlay for NPAs 610 and 484.

NPA 445 first proposed as an overlay for 215/267

In July 2000, area code 445 was first proposed as an overlay code for the 215 and 267 numbering plan areas in southeastern Pennsylvania. The plan was intended to provide additional numbering resources for the region.

NPA 445 to Overlay NPAs 215 and 267 (Pennsylvania)NPA 835 to Overlay NPAs 610 and 484 (Pennsylvania)

445 overlay planned for 215/267

The Pennsylvania telecommunications industry reached consensus in May 2000 to implement area code 445 as an overlay for the 215 and 267 numbering plan areas. The plan called for network preparation and test calls in 2001, with the earliest activation date for central office codes set for May 1, 2001.

Correction to Assignment Procedures for the Remaining Central Office Codes in 215 and 267 NPAs, and in the 610 and 484 NPAs (Pennsylvania)

NPA 445 overlay implementation rescinded

The planned implementation of area code 445 as an overlay for 215/267 was officially rescinded on February 21, 2003, by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and the 445 code was reclaimed.

445 overlay plan rescinded for 215/267

On September 18, 2003, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission entered an order rescinding the consensus relief plan for the 445 NPA overlaying the 215 and 267 NPAs. The 445 NPA was reclaimed and returned to the pool of available area codes, and carriers were directed to inform customers that 445 would not be introduced at that time.

PA 445 Implementation for 215/267 NPA Rescinded - 445 NPA Code Reclaimed

Original 445 overlay plan was rescinded and the code reclaimed

On September 25, 2003, the Pennsylvania PUC rescinded the original 445 overlay implementation plan and returned the 445 code to NANPA.

NPA 445 to Overlay NPAs 215/267 (Pennsylvania)

Area code 445 activated as overlay for 215/267 in Pennsylvania

On February 3, 2018, area code 445 was activated as an overlay for the 215 and 267 area codes in Pennsylvania, providing additional numbering capacity for Philadelphia and its suburbs to address ongoing demand for new telephone numbers.

NPA 445 overlaid the 215/267 region

Area code 445 began service on March 3, 2018 as an additional overlay for Philadelphia and adjacent portions of Bucks and Montgomery counties.