As early as March 3, 2018, a new area code will serve the Lehigh Valley area. New numbers placed in service in Philadelphia and portions of Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh, and Berks counties will receive the (445) area code. As telephone numbers associated with 215/267 area codes are nearly exhausted, The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will implement a relief method for the areas a new “overlay” area code to serve Philadelphia and surrounding counties. Tips to assist in preparation for the new area code include:
- Continue to program/save/store phone numbers to all devices using the full 10 – digit telephone number.
- Verify that all services and equipment including automatic dialers, life-safety and medical alert systems, alarm/security systems security systems and security gates, call-forwarding settings and voicemail services – recognize the new area code as a valid phone number.