Province’s area code nearing capacity

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This article was published 29/05/2009 (6041 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG – MANITOBANS could be forced to switch area codes or dial 10 digits to phone their neighbours because the province is running out of telephone numbers in the 204 area code.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced Thursday that area code 204 is expected to run out of phone numbers by January 2011. The CRTC will review potential solutions, which may include splitting an area code’s region or adding a new area code, according to a news release.

Area code 204 currently covers every phone number in the province.

"There is a need for relief planning activity to commence immediately and to be completed as quickly as possible," says a statement on the CRTC website.

MTS Allstream spokesman Greg Burch downplayed the urgency of the shortage, and said everyone who needs a 204 area code phone number right now will get one.

Burch said growth in the use of cellphones and home telephone lines reduces the number of 204 phone numbers available. He wouldn’t comment on what a new area code could be, but said a new code, 10-digit dialing and change to network capacity are all potential solutions.

Ten-digit dialing means Manitobans would dial an area code plus a seven-digit phone number to make local calls.

"Those are all theoretically possibilities, but I’m not confirming or denying any of them," Burch said Thursday. "It’s at a very preliminary stage."

According to the CRTC, the 204 area code can be split into two or more parts — typically on the boundary of a city, major road, or body of water.

Alternatively, the existing 204 area code could be replaced with a new one. This would mean Manitobans can keep their existing phone number, but all local calls must be dialed with 10 digits.

Burch couldn’t say how many available 204 phone numbers remain across the province or how quickly they are being snapped up. He said MTS will continue to keep customers informed about pending changes.

The increased use of residential phones, cellphones, fax machines and computer services has contributed to the shortage of phone numbers available in various area codes across Canada.

"There’s no issue with 204 in the short term — everyone who needs a 204 area code will get one," Burch said. "It’s not an immediate, urgent problem."

jen.skerritt@freepress.mb.ca