What is an area code “split”?
• Traditionally, area codes have been split to provide more prefixes for the telecommunications industry and its customers, thus creating smaller geographic areas. Area code splits create new area codes by splitting a geographical region in multiple ways. • Only one area code is assigned to a particular geographical region. Some people will be able to retain the 818 area code while others will have to change their area code to the 747 area code.
The exhausting NPA is split into two geographic areas leaving the existing NPA code to serve, for example, an area with the highest customer density (in order to minimize number changes) and assigning a new NPA code to the remaining area. This method divides areas by jurisdictional, natural or physical boundaries (counties, boroughs, cities, river, etc.) between the old and new NPAs. This method has been the alternative chosen for practically all NPA relief situations prior to 1995. NPA splits have occurred with enough frequency so that technical aspects have been addressed and established implementation procedures are generally understood. Public education and acceptance of the process has been made easier because of the numerous NPA splits that have occurred. This method generally provides long term relief for an area.
