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1. What is an area code overlay?

An overlay is the addition of another area code (such as 680) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (such as 315). An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code.

2. Who will be affected?

The 315 area code covers the west-central portion of New York serving communities such as Syracuse, Utica and Watertown. The new 680 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 315 area code.

3. What will be the new dialing procedure?

To complete calls within the 315 area code region, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial area code plus telephone number. This means that all calls in the 315 area code that are currently dialed with 7 digits will need to be dialed using 10 digits, that is, the area code plus telephone number. The same dialing procedure will apply to telephone numbers assigned to the new 680 area code.

4. When will the change begin?

Effective March 12, 2016, you should begin using the new dialing procedures whenever you place a call from the 315 area code. If you forget and dial just seven digits, your call will still be completed.

Required Dialing Procedures

Beginning February 11, 2017, you must use the new dialing procedures, as described above for all calls. After this date, if you do not use the new dialing procedures, your calls will not be completed and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.

New Lines & Services

Beginning March 11, 2017, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers using the new 680 area code. All calls made within and between area codes 315 and 680 must be placed using the 10-digit telephone number (315 or 680 plus the 7-digit telephone number).

5. What will you need to do?

In addition to changing your dialing procedures, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial a 7-digit number will need to be reprogrammed to use the new dialing procedure.

Equipment Changes

Some examples are:

• Alarm and security systems or gates
• Call forwarding settings
• Fax machines
• Internet dial-up numbers
• Life safety systems or medical devices
• Mobile phone contact lists
• Private Branch Exchanges (PBXs)
• Speed dialers
• Voicemail services and similar functions

Update Personal Information

Be sure to check your website, business checks, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

6. What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including 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 plus the area code plus the telephone number for all calls to other area codes (outside of 315 and 680).
• 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.

7. Who may you contact with questions?

If you have any questions regarding information provided in the notice, please visit the New York Public Service Commission's website for further information.