Vote Scheduled To Create New Area Code

SANTA MONICA -- The Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to vote on a plan today to create a new area code. If approved a new 424 area code would overlap the existing 310 area.

With phone companies clamoring that 310 numbers are running out, the commission will decide whether to implement a 424 overlay -- meaning new numbers in the 310 area will have a 424 area code instead.

Anyone with an existing 310 area code will keep it. But they will be required to dial a full 11-digit number -- "1" plus the area code -- even if they are calling from the same area.

If the commission approves the overlay, phone companies would begin a transition period at the end of December to give residents time to get used to the 11-digit dialing. Phone companies would begin assigning 424 numbers next Aug. 26. It would be the first area code overlay in the state.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe called the 310/424 split premature and unnecessary, arguing there may still be enough 310 numbers remaining.

"I urge the commission to make no changes in the 310 area code until a telephone utilization study has been conducted and all reasonable conservation measures have been implemented, as required by law," Knabe said in a statement that will be read at today's PUC meeting.

"The industry has offered no objective evidence that an adequate amount of numbers is unavailable given current inventories," he said.

Commissioners at one time looked to split the area geographically so the new area code would only affect the cities of El Segundo, Hawthorne, Compton, Redondo, Lomita, Torrance and San Pedro. The plan was dropped after business owners protested that such a change would create financial strains.

The 310 area code was created in 1991 as a relief effort for the 213 area. In January 1997, part of the area was split to form the 562 area code.

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