OTTAWA – Responding to the growing use of mobile devices, the Greater Toronto Area beginning March 25, 2013 will be getting two new area codes says the Telecommunications Alliance (Bell, Rogers, Telus and Vidéotron). In Toronto, the 437 area code will be added to the 416/647 area codes. In the 905/289 region, the 365 area code will be introduced.
The new 437 and 365 area codes will provide additional telephone numbers with no impact on existing telephone numbers says the alliance. The new area codes will coexist with the current ones and will come into effect as new telephone numbers are introduced. It is important to note that numbers with the current area codes will continue to be assigned for the next few months, until there are none remaining.
"These new area codes reflect the growing use of cell phones and other mobile devices. Telecommunications service providers will be able to accommodate the growing demand for new telephone numbers with absolutely no impact on customers," says Glenn Pilley, Director of the Canadian Numbering Administrator. "We expect the first numbers with the new area codes to be assigned over the coming months as part of a seamless transition process."
The introduction of a new area code in a region does not affect the local calling areas or the way local or long distance calls are dialed. Special numbers like 9-1-1 will still be dialed using only three digits.
Currently, the 416/647 area codes are used in Toronto, while the 905/289 area codes cover southern Ontario, including Ajax-Pickering, Brampton, Burlington, Hamilton, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, Oakville, Oshawa, Richmond Hill, St. Catharines and Whitby.
New area codes will also be introduced in the coming months in several other regions throughout Canada including Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
