Telephone, Cell Phone Customers To Use 838 Area Code Starting in 3rd Quarter 2017
The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced that a new area code number has been assigned for eastern upstate New York. The new 838 area code will provide additional much-needed phone numbers for residents and businesses in the existing 518 area code region. The new area code will be activated by the third quarter of 2017.
The new area code will be overlaid on the existing 518 calling area, which will result in mandatory 10-digit dialing since two area codes will serve the same calling area. Regions served by multiple areas codes must employ 10-digit dialing as required by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate. It is important to note that all existing telephone users in the region will retain their current phone numbers, including the 518 area code.
Throughout the implementation, the Commission will be conducting outreach to the public to ensure that customers are aware of the area code change and its implementation milestones. The geographic area associated with the new 838 area code is located in all or part of 17 counties: Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Dutchess, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington.
Excepted from the Dept of Public Service Press Release found here.