Pennsylvania’s 814 area code, the largest geographically, is getting a second overlay code, to ensure a sufficient supply of phone numbers for residents and businesses there.
The new code — 582 — eventually will require dialing a 10-digit number to reach a party in the large area that extends from Erie to Meyersdale and from Clarion to State College.
The overlay code is scheduled to go into service May 1, but on Saturday, local callers can begin voluntarily dialing 814 numbers using 10 digits. Ten-digit dialing will become mandatory on April 3.
The 582 area code will be assigned to new telephone numbers once the available supply of numbers in the current 814 area code is exhausted.
The new code designation was determined by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator, Somos Inc., a neutral third-party that administers telephone resources across the nation.
According to the state Public Utility Commission, 814 is one of Pennsylvania’s four original area codes and is the only one that doesn’t have an additional overlay code.
PUC officials advised residents in the 814 area to check devices like medical alert systems, alarms and any other systems that automatically make calls, to ensure they’re set up for 10-digit dialing.
According to area-codes.com, the 814 area includes all or part of 27 counties. That area includes more than 200 cities and towns — among them, Altoona, Bedford, Bradford, Breezewood, DuBois, Edinboro, Erie, Johnstown, Oil City and Punxsutawney.
The 724 area code covers 15 counties, including 192 cities and towns.
