Oregon 503/971 Area Code Overlay

Available telephone numbers in the 503 area code are limited and cannot support the needed demand for telephone numbers.

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An area code overlay is a form of area code change that adds area code(s) to the same geographic region. In this case, the 971 area code was previously added to the same geographic region of the 503 area code with the exception of the coastal area. Now, the entire 503 geographic region will have the 971 area code and the 503 area code. In many parts of the country, multiple area codes co-exist within the same geographic region. People with telephone numbers with the 503 area code will retain their current telephone number(s) and area code. People who would like to have new or additional telephone numbers or telecommunications services may be given telephone numbers with the new 971 area code.

Traditionally, area codes have been split to provide more prefixes for the telecommunications industry and its customers, creating smaller geographic areas. As geographic areas become smaller, it becomes more difficult to subdivide an area code any further without separating close knit communities of interest or cities. The Oregon Public Utilities Commission (OPUC) determined that the 503 area code had reached that point, thus choosing the area code overlay instead of the area code split. This overlay is an expansion of the existing 971 overlay which was implemented previously in all of the 503 area except the coastal area.

No. Area code overlays allow people to retain their current telephone number(s) and area code.

On April 27, 2008, you must use the new dialing procedure. If you forget and use the old dialing procedure, calls will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and redial.

If 7-digits are dialed, a recording will instruct you to hang up and redial using the new dialing procedure.

No. You can still just dial only three digits to reach 9-1-1. No additional digits will be required to make emergency calls. You can make emergency calls the same way you do today.

No. If numbers such as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611,711 and 811 are currently available in your community you can still dial them with just three digits.

Directory listings for all affected communities will be updated to identify the associated area code of a telephone number.

Individual customers are responsible for any changes to listings appearing in other directories. Each customer is responsible for telephone numbers appearing in any display advertising.

Prior to April 27, 2008, customers with cellular telephones, hand-held PDAs, etc. need to re-enter telephone numbers to include the area code + 7-digit telephone number.

Individual consumers are responsible for the costs incurred to update or reprogram their customer telephone equipment or features.

Calls that were local before the area code overlay will remain local calls. Calls that were long-distance calls before the area code overlay will remain long-distance calls.

All Operator Assisted Calls must be dialed “0” + area code + telephone number.

Anyone in the 503 Service Area may be assigned a telephone number with the new 971 area code starting April 27, 2008 for new lines or service.

No. Telephone numbers with the 503 area code may still be available. Check with your preferred telecommunications service provider for availability.

Callers will not reach the person or business they are trying to call if they dial the wrong area code. It is possible to reach a wrong number or hear an announcement indicating that the number dialed is not in service. Therefore, it is important to know and dial the correct area code + telephone number of the person or business you are trying to reach.

It is important to tell people your area code + telephone number so there is no confusion as to which area code you have. When getting a number from someone, be sure to get the area code + 7-digit telephone number.