PA 717/223 NPA Area Code Overlay

Attention: Telephone Directory Publishers

This is a reminder. To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the new 223 area code will be added to the area served by 717. This is known as an area code overlay. The new 223 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 717 area code which generally covers the south-central portion of the state serving communities such as Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York. The new 223 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 717 area code.

What’s an area code overlay?

An overlay adds another area code (223) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (717). An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code or telephone number.

How does this affect telephone directory publishers?

Telephone Directories covering the 717 area code region must add the new 223 area code information and alert customers in the 717 area code about the new 10-digit local dialing procedure.

What will be the new dialing procedure?

To complete calls within the 717 area code, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial area code + telephone number. This means that all calls in the 717 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to be dialed using ten digits (area code + telephone number). The same dialing procedure will apply to telephone numbers assigned to the new 223 area code and the calls made between the 717 and 223 area codes.

When does the change begin?

Starting August 26, 2017, you must use 10-digit dialing for your call to complete. If you don’t, your call won’t be completed and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.

Beginning September 26, 2017, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers using the new 223 area code. The new dialing plan will also apply to all 223 area code telephone numbers.

What will remain the same?

  • Your telephone number, including the current area code, will not change.
  • The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
  • What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
  • You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all calls to other area codes (outside of 717 and 223).
  • You can still dial just three digits to reach 911.
  • If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 are currently available in your community, you will still dial these codes with just three digits.

Customers with questions about the dialing procedure change should be directed to their local service provider, or they can also visit the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s website at https://www.puc.pa.gov/ for further information.

Sincerely,
PA 717/223 Overlay Industry Committee Co-Chairs