Press Release

PUC Reminds Eastern and Southeastern PA Residents of September 2nd Activation of New ‘835’ Area Code

Published on 8/18/2022

Filed under: Telecommunications

835 Area Code will Serve Suburban Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley Alongside Existing 610 and 484 Telephone Numbers

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today reminded residents and businesses in eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania of the upcoming September 2^nd activation of a new 835 area code.

The new area code will serve the same geographic region as the existing 610 and 484 area codes – operating in parallel to those other area codes – so no changes in dialing will be necessary.  Still consumers are urged to be aware of the upcoming arrival of the 835 area code.

Dwindling Supply of Existing 610/484 Phone Numbers

The earliest date that any new 835 number can be placed into service is September 2, 2022. The 835 area code is being placed into service because the remaining supply of numbers in the current 610/484 area codes is nearly exhausted.

The 610/484 calling area serves residents and businesses in all or portions of Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties.

Current customers will keep their existing 610/484 phone numbers, but starting in September, residents or businesses seeking new telephone lines may be assigned numbers in the 835 area code.

No Changes Required for Dialing Calls

Because the region is already served by two overlay area codes, callers currently use 10-digit dialing when making calls – something they have been doing for more than 20 years, since the 484 area code was introduced in 1999.

Because 10-digit dialing is already well established in this region, the eventual addition of the new 835 area code covering the same geographic area will not require any changes to the way area residents and businesses dial telephone calls – aside from using the new area code, when necessary.

According to the latest planning letter from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator, the process for dialing phone numbers in the region will remain the same:

• Local & Toll calls to and from other numbers inside the 610/484/835 area:  Dial 10-digits.
• Local & Toll calls from the 610/484/835 area to numbers in another area code:  Dial 1 + 10-Digits.
• Operator Services (credit card, collect, third party):  Dial 0 + 10-Digits
  
  

Prepare for 835 Area Code Arrival

While residents in the 610/484/835 area will continue to dial calls the same way they have for more than 20 years, the PUC urges consumers and businesses to be aware of the upcoming addition of a new area code.

Tips to prepare for the eventual start of the new 835 area code include:

• Checking devices to verify that area codes are included with all stored numbers.
• Continuing to program/save/store phone numbers to all devices using the full 10-digit telephone number.
• Verifying that all services and equipment – such as automatic dialers, life-safety & medical alert systems, alarm/security systems and security gates, call-forwarding settings, and voicemail services – recognize the new area code as a valid phone number.

For those interested in checking their devices to confirm that they will work with the new 835 area code, a test number is now available: 835-990-TEST (8378). A recorded announcement will indicate the test call has been successfully completed.

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

# # #

Docket No.: P-2021-3027990

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov