In 2007, news reports indicated that West Virginia would soon need a new area code. [1][2]
On January 29, 2008, the West Virginia Public Service Commission voted 2-1 for a split of the existing 304 area code, with the one dissenting vote for an overlay. However, the telecommunications providers, which were overwhelmingly in favor of an overlay were still able to request the Commission to reconsider, or appeal to the West Virginia State Supreme Court, for an overlay instead of a split.
Over the following two weeks, numerous state and local government officials, and various business interests, voiced strong opposition to a split of 304, in favor of an overlay. Even the governor of West Virginia voiced his support of an overlay. Several telecommunications providers then officially appealed to the Public Service Commission for an overlay, which was unanimously approved by all three commissioners on February 13, 2008.
The new area code will be 681. (At one time, 932 was reserved for use as a future new area code in West Virginia, but there has since been a 304-932 exchange code assigned in Charleston.)
Implementation dates for permissive and mandatory ten-digit local dialing, as well as the effective date of the overlay, have been announced in Neustar NANPA's Planning Letter #375, issued March 21, 2008. [3]
- Permissive ten digit local dialing of numbers in the existing 304 area code will begin no later than July 26, 2008. (Local 304 calls continue to be dialed as just seven digits will still be allowed).
- Mandatory ten digit local dialing of existing 304 numbers will take effect on February 28, 2009. (Calls within 304 dialed with just seven digits will no longer be allowed at this time).
- One month following the start of mandatory ten digit dialing, on March 28, 2009, will be when new numbers out of the 681 area code can begin to take effect.
- A test number for determining if routing to the new area code is in effect from any West Virginia telephone number, 681-990-TEST (8378) is scheduled to start on December 28, 2008, and to remain active through at least June 28, 2009.
