Get ready for new area codes for old areas

We’re running out of phone numbers. That’s a sign that we’re pulling in a lot of people. That’s also a sign that people have more than one phone number. Originally, one phone number reached several houses thanks to party lines. Then, the luxury of privacy, one number per house. Skip ahead and add several lines to the several people in a house, then start adding lines for the electronics. Hello, fax machine. Now, cell phones have been added, and some have multiples of them.

Home, business, whatever, we’re running out of numbers; so, say hello to 564. The new area code will start in the great expanse that is 360. Then, as needed, new phones in the other area codes will also be issued with the 564 prefix.

As more area codes are added, more phone calls require all ten digits.

Ironically, the apparent added complexity won’t be as intrusive as it could be because people are more likely to let their phone do the dialing. The ten digits may impact landlines more than mobile phones, but the use of landlines is declining. Have you Skyped, Facetimed, or had a Hangout recently?

Area codes originally identified the area someone lived in. Now that numbers follow us around, all they tell us is where people bought their phones.

In any case, the change goes into effect this August, something else to keep in mind as we manage our devices. Will anyone scramble to get special numbers that meet some numerological, or spell out something beginning with 564? JOG, KNI(ght?), LOG?

For more details, check out Geekwire’s article.

• Washington state is getting a new area code in 2017: 564 [GeekWire]