Press Release

New "Overlay" Relief Alternative Approved for 408 Area Code
New 669 Area Code - California's Second Overlay - Effective January 1, 2000

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 23, 1998) — Neustar, Inc., administrator of the North American Numbering Plan, announced today that an overlay area code 669 has been assigned to the 408 area code, which serves the greater San Jose area in Santa Clara County.

The 669 area code is only the second overlay approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for the state. The new area code - 669 - will serve the same geographic area as the current 408 area code, which includes San Jose and surrounding communities, and will begin service on January 1, 2000.

In an overlay area code, a second area code is added to the same geographic area as the existing area code. All existing numbers will retain the 408 area code, but new telephone customers for local phone service, cellular and paging services, and alarms, for example, assigned in the same area may receive the new 669 area code.

In addition, all telephone calls made in the overlay area require 1+10-digit dialing - this includes calls currently dialed with seven-digits in the 408 area code.

Joe Cocke, senior area code relief planner for Neustar, Inc., said the introduction of the new 669 area code is needed to meet the rapidly growing demand for additional telephone numbers in the 408 area code and across the state.

"The demand for additional telephone numbers has been driven by several factors including an increase in California's population and healthy economic conditions," Cocke said. "Businesses are also expanding and needing additional telephone numbers, as well as a need for second and third phone lines in the home, and for more wireless services." Another factor is an increase in local telephone service competition, Cocke added.

The 408 area code will continue to serve all current customers in the cities of San Jose, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Milpitas, Santa Clara City, Saratoga, Campbell, Lexington Hills, Los Gatos, Morgan Hill, Gilroy as well as San Antonio Valley. Beginning January 1, 2000, the new 669 area code will serve the same geographic area as the 408 area code.

A formal nine-month "permissive dialing" period begins on January 1, 1999. Until October 1, 1999, people calling from within the 408 area can dial either the "1 + 408 + seven-digit telephone number" or just dial the seven digit telephone number. All customers within the 408 area code are encouraged to begin dialing 1+10 digits on all calls, starting January 1 so customers can get used to the new dialing plan for the 408 and 669 area codes.

At the end of the "permissive dialing" period, callers must use 1+10 digit dialing (1+area code + seven-digit telephone number) to complete their calls. Callers who forget to use 1+10 digit dialing will receive a recorded message reminding them that they must dial 1+ area code + seven-digit telephone number, and they will be required to redial the call. The recorded reminder will remain indefinitely for those who dial only seven digits.

When switching to a new area code, Cocke said there are some things customers should remember including:

• Changing stationery, business cards and advertising to reflect the area code if not already shown.
• Updating fax machine group calling lists to include 1+10 digit phone numbers.
• Reprogramming speed dialers, auto dialers, alarms and PBX (private phone systems) to reflect the dialing plan change (contact your equipment vendor for assistance)
• Reprogramming outdial lists on personal computers to include 1+10 digits.

Cocke said the introduction of the 669 area code will not affect the price of telephone calls. "Local calls will remain local calls regardless of the area code dialed," he noted.

CPUC made its ruling on Nov. 19. The state's other overlay area code is in the 310 area covering southern and western Los Angeles County, and will be implemented in July 1999.

A telecommunications industry group comprised of more than 30 companies collectively develops area code relief plans. Area code relief activities for the 408 and 669 area codes are administered by Neustar, Inc., who was selected by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to serve as the North American Number Plan Administrator (NANPA). NANPA is a neutral, third-party administrator that oversees the assignment of area codes, three-digit central office codes, carrier identification codes, and other numbering resources throughout the United States, Canada, Bermuda and 16 Caribbean countries.

For media inquiries, please contact Bill Stern, spokesman for the North American Numbering Plan Administration, at 202-533-2648.