GENERAL INFORMATION
When a new area code is necessary, there are two methods by which it may be implemented: the "overlay" method and the "split" method. With the overlay method, a new area code is superimposed upon the same geographical area where an area code already exists. In our case, a new area code, 385, would be superimposed upon the same area where the 801 area code now exists. There would then be two area codes mingled among the residents and businesses in the five-county area.
With an area code split, part of the territory covered by an existing area code is split off and given a completely new area code. In our case, Salt Lake County will retain the 801 area code and Morgan, Weber, Davis, and Utah counties will be given the new 385 area code. Only the area code will change. There will be no mixing of area codes anywhere within the five-county area.
The problem with mixing two or more area codes within the same region, as with the overlay method, is that residents would have to dial ten digits for all local calls, even within their own neighborhoods. People would also have to keep track of who has which area code when calling businesses, friends, relatives, and neighbors. Moreover, if a business or a resident wanted to add a new telephone line, to add a line for a fax machine or for a new employee, for example, the new line may very well have a different area code from those lines already in place in the business or in the home. Imagine the confusion and frustration this would cause.
With an area code split, area codes define specific areas. Everyone in a given region has the same area code and therefore can retain seven-digit dialing within that region. There is no wondering who has which area code because everyone in that region has the same area code. Much confusion and frustration is eliminated.
HISTORY
In 2000, the Utah Public Service Commission made the decision to implement a new area code using the split method. They had studied the matter extensively, held public hearings, and received comments from many different sources. For several good reasons, they found the overlay method unacceptable. Due to some number-conservation measures taken, the need for a new area code was postponed for several years.
In 2007, it became evident that a new area code would soon be needed. In March 2007, the Public Service Commission received a petition from several telephone companies requesting that the PSC reverse its earlier decision and choose the overlay method to implement the new area code. In April 2007, the PSC issued a notice stating that it would receive public comments on this matter until May 31, 2007. Almost no one knew about this as evidenced by the fact that during the 48-day comment period, the PSC receive only 16 comments. Four comments supported the overlay method and twelve comments opposed the overlay, supporting the split method.
Despite the very small number of comments received, and the fact that the majority of the comments opposed the overlay, the Public Service Commission issued an Order on July 12, 2007, reversing its earlier decision and selecting the overlay as the method for implementing the new area code. The new area code would go into effect in March of 2009.
Because almost no one knew about this, very few comments were sent to the PSC following its decision until the Spring of 2008 when telephone customers began receiving notices with their phone bills stating that ten-digit dialing would soon be forced upon them. Many comments have been received by the PSC since April 2008, the vast majority of them strongly opposing the overlay method. Based on the comments received by the PSC and on conversations we have had with many other consumers, we are convinced that there are thousands of people in the five-county area who adamantly disapprove of the overlay method.
On August 20, 2008, Ken Smith of Utah County made a presentation to the Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee of the state legislature regarding the implementation of the new area code. The audio of his presentation can be heard by going to the state legislature web site (http://www.le.utah.gov/) then to "Committees", "Interim", and then to the Public Utilites and Technology Interim Committee and then to the agenda and audio version of its August 20 meeting.
Several members of the committee publicly stated that they favor the split method of implementing the new area code. One committee member stated that the idea of having to dial ten digits for local calls was very irritating to him. Another pointed out that there is logic to a split. Clearly, there is nothing logical, reasonable, or rational about an overlay.
Another conclusion that came from this committe meeting is that it will take legislation to get this decision reversed. The Public Service Commission made it clear that it is not inclined to change its mind unless forced to do so by the state legislature. This is where you and I come in. It is vital that each of us in the five-county area contact our state senator and our state representative and let them know of our strong opposition to the overlay method.
The names of the state senators and state representatives for all districts in the five-county area are listed on the sidebar of this blog. The email address for each legislator is there as well. Each county, except Morgan, includes more than one senate district and more than one house district. Find your address on the House and Senate District Maps (see state legislature web site) to determine the exact district you are in.
Please write to your state senator and state representative and let them know you strongly oppose the overlay method and definitely support the split method.
