STOP THE AREA CODE OVERLAY

Comments from Utah Citizens Opposing the Overlay

2008-10-07T11:01:00.000-07:00

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

STOP THE AREA CODE OVERLAY FLIER

2008-09-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

STOP THE AREA CODE OVERLAY!

Unless there is a change in policy very soon, residents of Morgan, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah counties will be forced to dial ten digits for all local calls beginning next March. This is because the Utah Public Service Commission has imposed an overlay of a new area code upon the same five-county area that now uses the 801 area code. Not only will we have to dial ten digits for local calls, but, if the overlay is allowed to go into effect, we will have a mixture of area codes in our neighborhoods, in our businesses, and even in our homes, when new lines are added. We will have to keep track of which neighbors have the old area code and which neighbors have the new area code.

Having to keep track of who has which area code and having to dial ten digits for every local call will bring confusion and frustration into our lives that we don’t need. It is completely unnecessary. The other option that the Public Service Commission has is to implement the new area code using the Split method. Under the split method, Salt Lake County will retain the 801 area code and Morgan, Davis, Weber, and Utah counties will be given a new area code. Only the area code will change. The original 7 digits will remain the same. This way we will all retain seven-digit dialing for local calls and we won’t have to worry about two area codes being used throughout the county we live in. There is logic to an area code split. There is nothing logical or rational about an overlay.

We must take action by contacting our state legislators and letting them know that we strongly oppose the overlay and prefer the split method. For more information, including the names and email addresses of the legislators in the five-county area, look at our blog: http://stoptheareacodeoverlay.blogspot.com.

You are also urged to sign our electronic petition at http://stacom.epetitions.net.

Thank you for your support

Talking Points About the New Area Code

2008-09-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

In discussing the new area code with a lot of people, I have found that some are confused as to what the differences are between the overlay and the split and aren't really sure why the split is so superior. Below are some suggested talking points that may be helpful when explaining the advantages of the split as compared to the overlay:

1. With an overlay, a new area code is superimposed over the same geographical area that already uses an existing area code. In our case, the 385 area code would be superimposed over the same five-county area that now uses the 801 area code. This would result in a mixture of area codes in our neighborhoods, business offices, and even in our homes if we should add a new line for an additional telephone or a fax machine. This mixing of two area codes would cause confusion and frustration when trying to determine which one to use for a given call.

2. Because there would be two area codes throughout this area, we would be forced to dial ten digits for every local call, even to new neighbors down the street. This would be another source of delay and frustration that we simply don't need and is completely unnecessary.

3. There is logic to a split. Area codes will define specific areas and there will be no mixing of area codes. In our case, Salt Lake County will retain the 801 area code. We will then know that a call to an 801 area code is definitely going to Salt Lake County and nowhere else. A call to a 385 number will be to Morgan, Weber, Davis, or Utah Counties. There is nothing logical or rational about an overlay.

4. If we implement an overlay now, the only relief available when a new area code is needed in the future is another overlay. This would mean having to deal with THREE area codes in the same geographical area. How totally confusing this would be.

5. With the split method, the area code is virtually invisible. In a given county, local calls will be made by dialing only seven digits. The area code will not even be required. It therefore won't matter that the area code has changed. It will not be needed when dialing locally, just as is now the case.

6. With a split, only the area code will change in the four counties. The original seven-digit telephone number will remain the same. This was specifically stated by the Chairman of the Public Service Commission in his remarks to the Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee. In some of their literature, the telephone companies have made it sound like the entire telephone number might change which is definitely not true.

7. This issue has nothing to do with technology. Modern technology is just as available to implement the new area code using a split as it is to implement the overlay. This is about, very simply, a powerful special interest, in this case the telephone companies, trying to impose the burden of that which is in its best interest upon private citizens, even their own customers.

8. You may meet some people who say they have moved to Utah from an area that has an overlay and that they "got used to it." Being able to "get used to it" is no excuse for imposing a burden on the consumers that we don't want in the first place. We have friends who live in the Denver area where there is an overlay and they hate it. We have family members who lived in the Atlanta area where there is an overlay and they also hated the overlay.

9. The telephone companies say the trend across the country is toward the overlay method. Statistics show that there are many splits going in around the country as well. Furthermore, if the trend is toward the overlay, it is not because this is what consumers want. It is because the telephone companies and the various public utility and public service commissions are imposing the overlay upon unsuspecting citizens without informing them of the options available and the ramifications of each (as is the case here in Utah). It is a fact that in some areas, citizens have fought against the overlay and have won.

10. Some will give the argument that with the split method, businesses in the four counties that get the new area code will have to undergo the expense of reprinting their stationery, advertisements, and business cards. First of all, this is not necessarily true. Businesses that do not print the area code on their literature, will not have to reprint anything. I note that some businesses do not print the area code on calendars, business cards, etc. In my telephone book, there are many businesses whose ads in the yellow pages do not show an area code with the telephone number. None of these, then, will have to be changed. If reprinting of stationery and business cards is necessary, it is certainly not that expensive and businesses have to reprint their literature from time to time anyway when they run out. It is a normal cost of doing business.

Check Out the Public Service Commission Web Site

2008-09-03T11:58:00.000-07:00

You can learn about the history of the deliberations concerning the new area code by looking at the Public Service Commission web site. All of the documents issued by the PSC are found there. You will also see the comments from many citizens, the vast majority of which strongly oppose the overlay method.

Go to www.psc.utah.gov and then click on "385 Area Code Overlay."

If you haven't already done so, send your comments opposing the overlay to jsharvey@utah.gov.

Sign Our Petition

2008-09-03T11:43:00.000-07:00

Please sign our petition that asks the Public Service Commission to reconsider its decision to implement the new area code with the overlay method and to revert to its original decision to utilize the split method. The petition can be found at http://stacom.epetitions.net Signing the petition is a two-step process: After filling in the three boxes with your email address, your first and last names, and clicking on "Sign", you will receive an email from epetitions.net asking you to confirm your signature. Once you have clicked on the link to confirm your signature, your name will be officially added to the list.

Welcome!

2008-08-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

Thank you for checking out this blog. Our purpose is to provide information to the residents of Morgan, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah counties about the problems associated with the overlay method of implementing the new area code and to suggest methods by which we can get the decision by the Public Service Commission reversed.

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.