New Area Code For Philly Burbs To Be Rolled Out Earlier Than Expected

GREATER PHILADELPHIA — A new area code being added to the Philadelphia suburbs is now expected to be rolled out a bit earlier than originally planned, with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission letting folks know they will start seeing the new '835' exchange as soon as early September.

Originally announced to be unveiled in early 2023, the new telephone area code will be placed into service beginning Sept. 2.

The PUC has said the new area code was necessary due to a dwindling supply of the existing 610 and 484 area codes that currently serve the Philadelphia suburban region and beyond.

Currently, 610 and 484 serve residents and businesses in parts of Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton and Schuylkill Counties, according to the PUC.

The new 835 area code, which will serve the same geographic region as the other two area codes, is expected to meet demand for the next six decades, according to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The PUC told customers that no changes in dialing will be necessary once the 835 exchange rolls out, but consumers were urged to be aware of the arrival of the new area code next month.

A new area code hasn't been introduced in the region since 20-plus years ago, according to media reports.

The last area code that came to town was 484, which was placed into service in 1999.