New Nassau Area Code Assigned By State

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Just a few days after approving a new area code for Nassau County, the state announced what the digits would be: 363.

The New York State Public Service Commission made the announcement Monday, just a few days after it approved adding a new area code for the county. The new area code will start to be used in the second quarter of 2023.

"As a result of a robust economy and strong demand for telecommunication services on Long Island, we need to establish a new area code," said PSC Chair Rory M. Christian. "With the addition of the new area code, Nassau County will be well-positioned to accommodate future economic growth and to satisfy growing consumer demand. Further, our decision will ensure local telephone service remains available."

The addition of the new area code will not affect existing numbers, which will keep the 516 area code. The new code — known as an area code overlay — will be given to new phone numbers that are activated after the first quarter of next year. Phone calls between 516 and 363 numbers will still be considered local, the state said.

The Public Service Commission said that the need for new phone numbers has exploded in recent years with the growth of cell phones, tablet computers and other electronic devices. Area code overlays have been a common solution to the need for new phone numbers.

The body that assigns area codes and phone numbers — the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) — has projected that all of the possible 516 phone numbers will be used up by the third quarter of 2023. To remedy the situation, it proposed the area code overlay for Nassau County.

The implementation of a new area code also requires people in that area to switch to 10-digit dialing for all local phone calls. However, that is already in place for Nassau County due to the creating of the 988 hotline to reach the National Foundation for Suicide Prevention.