Area code 334
Area code 334 is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) for southeastern Alabama. It was created on January 15, 1995, in an area code split from area code 205.[1] It was the first new area code in Alabama since the announcement of the area code system in 1947. To permit a transition period for the reconfiguration of equipment, such as computers and fax machines, use of area code 205 continued in the 334 region through May 13, 1995.[1]
The numbering plan area (NPA) comprises the Montgomery, Auburn-Opelika, and Dothan metropolitan areas, as well as Phenix City and the Alabama side of the Columbus, Georgia metro area. The original 334 territory included the southern half of Alabama. The southwestern part of the numbering plan area was split off with Area code 251 in 2001, including Mobile.[2]
Area code 334 was the first interchangeable NPA code, not having the middle digit of 0 or 1,[3] officially preceding Washington area code 360 by one minute.[4]
NANPA projections in 2023 suggested that an additional area code will be needed in southeastern Alabama by early 2026, as 334 is nearing exhaustion.[5] On March 5, 2024 the Alabama Public Service Commission approved an all-services distributed overlay with the new area code 483 for relief with an in-service date of February 26, 2026.[6][7] In network preparation and customer education a permissive ten-digit dialing period is scheduled from July 23, 2025, to January 23, 2026, followed by mandatory ten-digit dialing in the entire state.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Diel, Stan (1994-12-15). "Ma Bell gives time to adjust to new code". The Birmingham News. pp. B1.
- ^ Lowry, Bob (2009-03-04). "Flex your fingers for 10-digit dialing in 2010". The Huntsville Times.
- ^ "Bellcore Information Letter IL94-01-033" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-19. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
- ^ "Bellcore Information Letter IL94-01-029" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-19. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
- ^ "2022-1 NRUF and NPA Exhaust Analysis" (PDF). NANPA. 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
- ^ "NPA 483 and 334 All-Services Overlay (Alabama)" (PDF). NANPA. 2024-05-07. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ "NEW 483 AREA CODE ANNOUNCED FOR CENTRAL/SOUTHEAST ALABAMA" (PDF). Alabama Public Service Commission. 2024-03-21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-04-01. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
External links
[edit]- "Area Code Maps". NANPA.
| North: 205/659, 256/938 | ||
| West: 205/659, 251 | 334 | East: 706/762, 229 |
| South: 251, 850 | ||
| Georgia area codes: 229, 404, 478, 678/470/943, 706/762, 770, 912 | ||
| Florida area codes: 239, 305/786/645, 321, 352, 386, 407/689, 561/728, 727, 772, 813/656, 850/448, 863, 904/324, 941, 954/754 | ||
31°45′N 85°50′W / 31.750°N 85.833°W
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