STAFF REPORT
The Public Utility Commission is encouraging Central Texas telephone customers within the 512 area code to comment on a plan to add the 737 area code to the 512 territory.
The commission says the new area code is needed to handle regional growth along with the added demand for new wireless phone numbers and business landlines. Area code 512 serves Hays, Travis, Williamson, Burnet, Lampasas, Caldwell, Bastrop, Lee, Milam, Mills, Coryell, San Saba, Bell, Fayette, Guadalupe, Comal, Blanco, Llano and Burleson counties.
The planned all-services overlay means current customers in the 512 area code will get to keep their 512 numbers. New customers could be assigned either the 737 or the 512 area code. All customers would be required to dial 10 digits for all local calls and 11 digits for long distance.
The remaining available numbers in the 512 area code are forecast to last until late 2013. The plan calls for a permissive six-month period of either seven or 10-digit dialing from December 2012 through May 2013. Mandatory 10-digit dialing is scheduled to begin in June 2013 followed by activation of the 737 area code in July 2013.
For information, contact the PUC by calling 1-888-782-8477 (1-888-PUC-TIPS), or by emailing [email protected].
