Counties in New York State served by the 315 area code will now have a second area code mixed in with those numbers. On Tuesday, the NYS Public Service Commission revealed that 680 will be the new area code, to help relieve the shortage of new, available numbers.
The new area code will be overlaid, or superimposed on the existing 315 calling area, which will result in more than one area code serving the same calling area.
All existing telephone users will retain their current phone numbers and area codes. Once the new code is activated, people living in those areas will have to first dial the area code, even when calling someone within the same area code.
The geographic area associated with the new 680 area code is located in all or part of 18 counties: Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Oswego, Otsego, St. Lawrence, Seneca, Wayne and Yates.
There will be a seven month period for preparation following by an 11 month period in which both the 7-digit and 10-digit dialing will work. Activation of the 680 area code is expected in early 2017.
Earlier this year the North American Numbering Plan Administrator assigned the new area code after informing the PSC that the available numbers for the 315 area code were running out.
