It’s been 12 years since the 226 area code was added in southwestern Ontario, and a third area code is now being added.
548 will join 226 and the original area code of 519 starting this Saturday June 4th.
Glen Brown — a spokesperson for the Canadian Numbering Administrator — tells Bayshore Broadcasting News they are simply running out of numbers again.
The region includes Windsor through Kitchener and north through the Owen Sound area to Tobermory.
Brown says the introduction of a third area code will provide millions of additional telephone numbers with no impact on existing numbers.
The new 548 area code will coexist with the current area codes and will be introduced as new telephone numbers are issued.
Brown says telephone numbers will not change but you may be offered a phone number with the 548 area code when you go to get a new cell-phone.
Local calling areas remain the same for 519, 226 and 548 callers.
There is also no change to the 9-1-1 emergency number which remains a three-digit number.
Brown says this new area code should satisfy demand for about 11 years.
