The Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas has plans to create a new Houston area phone number code because current area codes are projected to run out of numbers by 2025.
Area codes have been used in place of an operator to dial up a number since around the 1940s, according to the PUC.
The new code would serve areas all over Greater Houston, the PUC said in a press release.
"The new area code would overlay existing area codes, which currently serve the greater metropolitan area of the City of Houston and smaller cities including Alvin, Baytown, Cleveland, Cypress, Dickinson, Friendswood, Humble, Katy, Kemah, League City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Rosharon, Spring, Sugarland, and Tomball, within the counties of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Waller."
The last time the PUC added a new area code was in 2013 when it added 346, when numbers for the 832, 713, and 281 codes already implemented into the Houston area ran out. The 832 area code was implemented in 1999.
These area codes will not be affected by the new numbers that will be implemented and current phone numbers will not change, Magenta Pola with the Texas PUC said.
"The people in [Greater Houston] already use the 10-digit [phone] number, so it'll just be an added area code," she said.
While there's no official date for when a new area code might be introduced for Houston, Pola said some of the general public are already suggesting numbers.
"Basically, they wanna give their input on what area code to be used," Pola said. "Since the number is confidential until this all goes through with the commission, you can file your comments."
The PUC has instructions for those who would like to provide any other comments or suggestions for the new number. But ultimately the decision for the new area code will be made by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator.
Public comment will be available until August 5th.
