Public Utility Commission studying changes to 717 area code
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has voted to delay changes to the 16-county region currently using the 717 area code while it gathers input on how to go about it.
Utility commissioners voted 5-0 on Thursday to delay a decision. They’re considering whether to split the region and give half of it a new area code, or create an overlay that would give all new numbers in the region a new area code.
An overlay requires everybody in the region to dial the area code plus the seven-digit phone number to call within the 16 counties.
The 717 area code is projected to run out of phone numbers in under three years. The utility commission says it’ll hold public hearings and accept written comments.
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