A new area code is set to launch in Prince George and the rest of British Columbia this week as the province works to meet the growing demand for new phone numbers.
Starting May 24, area code 257 will be gradually introduced in regions currently served by area codes 236, 250, 604, 672 and 778.
The change, announced by the Telecommunications Alliance, ensures that residents and businesses will continue to have access to new phone numbers as the existing supply becomes increasingly limited.
While the new area code will begin appearing on newly issued numbers, current phone numbers will remain unchanged.
The region’s local calling areas will also stay the same.
- Existing phone numbers will not change.
- All local calls must be dialed using 10 digits (area code + local number).
- Special service numbers like 211, 311, 411, 611, 911, and 988 will continue to be dialed with just three digits.
- Businesses with systems that restrict long-distance calls must update their systems to recognize 257 as a local area code.
New numbers with the 257 area code will be assigned as needed, once the supply of existing area codes is depleted, the Telecommunications Alliance noted.
The Telecommunications Alliance is a joint public awareness effort by major Canadian telecommunications companies.
