State Approves New Area Code For Nassau County

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Starting next year, Nassau County residents are going to have to start memorizing more phone number digits. The state Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a plan this week to give the county an addition area code to meet the rising demand for new phone numbers.

The three-digit area code, which has not yet been chosen, will go into effect in the first half of 2023, the PSC said. It will not affect people with existing 516 area codes, but will be used for new phone numbers.

“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 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, Somos proposed the area code overlay for Nassau County. That means that new phone numbers would have the new area code, but existing numbers wouldn't be affected.

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.