Comments from Utah Citizens Opposing the Overlay

Comments received by the Public Service Commission from Utah telephone customers regarding the “overlay” method of implementing the new area code:

1. Regarding the new area code overlay, this stinks. I am disappointed in the Commission for making this decision. Having a new area code is inevitable; but making it an overlay is going to be a major pain!
–Walter C. Bornemeier, P.C.

2. Why in the world do you not just split the area covered by the 801 area code, leave part of it with the 801 code, and give the new 385 code to the other part? It’s really very simple. I would have no problem with changing to a new area code. It’s no problem at all. It’s far better than having to endure the undue hardship of having to dial 10 digits just to make a local call. Even though they don’t realize it now, people will get sick and tired very quickly of having to dial 10 digits.
–K. Smith

3. Please do not move ahead with overlay of an additional area code to 801. I have never heard of such an ill-conceived plan to solve a simple problem. If another area code is needed because of growth, then create one. We survived quite well when area code 435 was added. I was running a business in the new 435 area code, and yes it was an inconvenience to us, but an overlay of area codes would be a huge inconvenience to almost everyone.
–Allan Edwards

4. I wish you to know I disagree with your decision to make us dial 10 digits in order to make a local phone call. I feel strongly it would be better to make one of the split a new area code. I cannot understand your decision and strongly disagree with it.
–Rodney C. Hill

5. As a Utah business with operations in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, and Utah counties; we strongly urge the Public Service Commission to choose a SPLIT area code for the Wasatch Front.
–Frank Christianson, VP, Arctic Circle Restaurants, Inc.

6. The vast majority of phone calls that I and my family make are to the local area, and we don’t want to be forced to dial 10 digits instead of 7 for these calls. I realize that switching to a new area code may force my business and others to change their phone numbers. But this would be preferable to inconveniencing everyone with every phone call. Please reconsider this decision.
–Brad Clements

7. I am writing to offer my strong opposition to the proposal for requiring 10 digit dialing. As a small business owner, this proposal will cost me money. We use the phone a lot in my business. To keep costs down, we minimize long distance calls whenever possible. With the new 10 digit dialing, I will never know just from the phone number whether I am dialing long distance or not. For every phone number I call, I will have to look up the address, and determine manually whether I am dialing long distance or not. This is such a bad idea; I am incredulous that it is still under consideration.
–Bruce Armstrong

8. Apparently the Public Utilities have made it virtually impossible to address public input regarding the proposed area code changes. This is a travesty. Why on earth was it approved without receiving public input? The question I have is why not keep the 801 code exclusively in Salt Lake County, and change outlining areas to the new 385 area code? That would keep to a plan that other communities in other states have followed, and wouldn’t require 10-digit dialing for calls within the same county. Why not county-wide area codes? This is going to be really inconvenient.
–Richard Christensen

9. I am really bothered by the plans announced to make me dial 10 digits just [to] call next door. This is simply a DUMB plan! I don’t mind having my prefix changed from 801 to 385, so change Utah County to 385, but don’t make us dial 10 digits.
–Mike Allred

10. This new area code 10-digit dialing for local calls is ridiculous. I have lived in other large cities and they haven’t handled it in this manner. The Bay Area in CA has split many times, but to call my neighbor I didn’t have to dial 10 digits. ANYTHING but this shortsighted and unbelievably bone-headed solution.
–Sharyne Wood

11. Notice was received stating that in the future ten digits must be used to place a phone call due to [a] new area code. We strongly object as this is a waste of time and money. In addition, we consider this a safety issue regarding the use of cell phones by our employees. I think the ten-digit dialing is just plain stupid. Split the area served by 801 into two geographic areas. This is how other providers around the country do it. I don’t care what area code we are assigned, just do not require the dialing of ten digits to make a phone call.
–Palmer-Christiansen Co.

12. Yesterday I received notice from my cell phone carrier of the new area code overlay. I did not have notice of this change before the July 2007 order approving this change. I do not subscribe to a newspaper, nor do I have [a] television. Had a notice been sent through my home telephone or cell phone carrier, I would have received it. I strongly disapprove of this overlay. The idea of having to use ten numbers to dial a neighbor across the street is ludicrous.
–Jane Wise

13. I am in favor of splitting the 801 area code. I think a split is much better than the overlay concept with an additional 385 prefix. I am absolutely opposed to overlay. Divide the geographical area by area code, not overlay.
–Jim Dunnigan

14. I would like to know how to express to the commission the total confusion and great amount of wasted time and money that would occur with an overlay of telephone area codes. I have enjoyed having my area code, 801, for the past 60 plus years . . . Please do not even consider an overlay. I will take my area code change, if everyone around me still has the same code, and I can dial a seven-digit code to reach them.
–LaRee Ricks

15. I am adamantly opposed to any type of overlay for Area Codes in Utah. I do not want to dial 10 digits just to call my neighbor down the street or to call a plumber. This is nonsensical. Please stick to the original plan of geographically splitting Area Codes.
-Joe Allred

16. I find this new area code “sharing” to be a horrible idea. Could we not have more of a geographically defined area code? At some point, there was an option to make the Salt Lake Valley its own area code island. That would be much better because people would just know the area code because of location. I know that when I call Park City or Tooele, it is going to be 435. All I know is that it is going to be a lot more difficult to call people when, over time, half my neighborhood will be 385 and the rest 801.
-Andrew Fallon

17. As a citizen who will be affected by the new area code system being put into place, I would like to strongly oppose the “overlay” method which has been chosen. I am asking that the convenience of the majority of the people be considered and that the alternative “split” method be instituted instead.
-Cheri Kohler

18. Please do all within your power to not overlay the area codes. Seven-digit dialing will save much more money and time than an overlay of the codes. Separate area codes is much better.
-Jared Miller

19. I would like to voice my opposition to the ten-digit dialing that is now required. I would much rather give up my area code for a new one in order to avoid ten-digit dialing. As I have spoken with my friends, they are unanimous in this opinion.
-E. Dean Flanders

20. I kindly request that the Utah Public Service Commission reverse its recent decision to “Overlay” a new area code on top of the multi-county 801 area code. Requiring a ten-digit phone number with multiple area codes in the same community threatens the public safety of our children. It is already difficult enough for them to remember a seven-digit number. To have to memorize a ten-digit number is exponentially more difficult.
-Joe Crapo

21. I’m writing with a concern about the area code overlay. Either choice of overlay or split creates inconvenience. However, a split’s inconvenience will end and is finite. Choosing an overlay creates an unending inconvenience and is therefore infinite. Please change your position and limit your customer inconvenience by choosing a split area code solution.
-David Starling