The three digits before your phone number are called an area code. They’re meant to show from what region or city the call is coming.
But they’ve become more than that. With Americans moving more than ever, those digits have become a symbol of identity.
Getting a 212 number puts your business in Manhattan, among the hustle and bustle of the art world. But it also puts you in a price bracket many can’t afford.
What is an Area Code Number?
Area codes have three digits before the first seven numbers in a telephone number, indicating the geographic region in which a person lives or has a business. The number of digits may change as the phone system grows, but the area code is the same. The phone service company that assigns a person or business an area code is also responsible for changing the number when the area code changes.
As the demand for new phone numbers grew in the early days of landline telephony, two telephone companies created the first 86 area codes. Each area code encompasses a specific geographic region of the country and allows for the building of local phone numbers.
When a city’s existing phone numbers run out, the area code can be split or overlayed. A geographic split divides a phone number service area into two separate areas, with one receiving the new area code and the other remaining in its original area code. The same region gets an additional area code in a geographic overlay, and existing customers retain their phone numbers.
To ensure that cities and regions have enough phone numbers for their growing populations, the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) allocates phone numbers in blocks. It adds area code where necessary. It helps to create more phone numbers and enables people to stay connected. Then, phone carriers will distribute these numbers to their subscribers. The process has its problems, though. For instance, if multiple rival telecom providers ask for a block of phone numbers in the same month, each can remove up to 100,000 lines from service.
Can I buy a 214 area code number? By changing telecom carriers or purchasing a pre-owned number from the market, an individual or business can obtain a phone number with the area code of their choice. Additionally, anyone can change their cell phone number; however, it’s generally advised against doing so until they relocate.
For many people, their area code is a status symbol. It demonstrates that they live or work in a central metropolitan area or are plugged into the latest tech scene. For business owners, a 214 number can convey that they’re in the heart of a city and on the cutting edge of business. Some people even go as far as to wear t-shirts and hats with their area code on them to demonstrate their adherence to the local culture and heritage.
Why Do I Need an Area Code Number?
The area code is the first three digits of a telephone number that indicates a geographic region and distinguishes one phone line from another. Using the area code, a caller can determine where a phone or fax line is registered, and they can make the call without paying any extra charges for long-distance calls.
An area code also helps a caller know if the phone number is in a rural or urban area. Rural areas have fewer population centers, while cities typically have multiple area codes. That is because larger metropolitan areas have more people per square mile. That is why many area codes have been restructured to add new numbers to accommodate the growing demand for telephone lines.
A telephone prefix is a three-digit number that precedes an area code and identifies a smaller region within an area code. This granular information is helpful for businesses that operate on a regional basis or need to make international calls. A prefix also indicates if the number is 800, a toll-free number that charges the recipient instead of the caller.
In today’s mobile culture, choosing an area code different from your physical location is shared. It results from two things: the United States Telecommunications Act of 1996 introduced local number portability, and wireless technology allows phone numbers to be taken with you rather than tied to your landline.
An attractive area code can boost business perception. A desirable area code can be perceived as a status symbol like designer labels. That is especially true for local area codes that are recognizable to the public. A study found 72 percent of people believe a local area code conveys prestige.
It’s no secret that the supply of local area codes is quickly running out. As a result, some companies specialize in purchasing and selling existing area codes from large carriers or regional exchanges. They then resell these numbers to small business owners and individuals. These businesses are helping to combat the upcoming shortage of area codes and boosting revenue by increasing the number of available phone and fax numbers.
How Do I Get an Area Code Number?
The first three digits of your phone number serve many purposes, but one of the most important is defining your region. Known as your area code, this three-digit number makes it possible to connect with you from anywhere in the country. It also helps telecommunications carriers route calls to your location.
Until recently, it wasn’t easy to get your area code. However, thanks to number portability (the ability for a phone number to follow you wherever you go) and wireless culture, you can now choose the area code you want, even if it’s not your current geographic area.
The North American Numbering Plan sets up the area code system, which divides the US into regions and areas served by a specific three-digit code. The plan was initially designed to help telecommunications companies manage the demand for local telephone numbers. It was accomplished by dividing the area into blocks and assigning them to different phone service providers. Each block then transferred the corresponding area code to its subscribers.
As the number of phone users grew, it became necessary to create new area codes to keep up with the growing demand for local telephone numbers. It meant that a portion of the existing area code would be split off and given to a new region while the rest of the old area code remained in use.
An entire area code may sometimes be used up, and no new numbers can be assigned. It is usually a result of excessive phone number demand or the number of phone subscribers exceeding capacity on the local telecommunications network.
It is also common for businesses and individuals to have multiple phone lines, which can each have a different area code. It allows each line to serve an extra client base, which can be helpful for sales and marketing purposes. The only downside to having more than one area code for a business is that people must learn to dial all ten digits when calling the company. It can be challenging, mainly if the company uses older equipment that doesn’t support 10-digit dialing.
Where Can I Get an Area Code Number?
Phone numbers have become so much more than just a way to connect. They have come to represent your identity and your status. That’s especially true for local area codes, which have become almost synonymous with prestige and access to high society. And while mobile phones have allowed us to move between homes, jobs, and cities quickly, there’s still something that most people still need to give up: their area code.
The good news is that buying a local phone number with an original area code is possible without moving from your current location. The key is to look for a virtual phone number provider that offers 214 area codes as part of their service. These providers often charge a monthly fee, but it’s usually significantly less than the cost of a traditional phone service.
Once you’ve found a virtual phone number provider that offers a 214 area code, the next step is to choose which plan is best for your business. You’ll want to make sure that you select a plan that includes features that will help your team handle inbound calls from customers, including call routing, hold music, and customizable greetings. It will ensure that your team can address your customers’ questions, concerns, and comments on time and maintain high customer service.
You’ll also want to ensure that your virtual phone number plan can integrate with your CRM system to store all your call data in one central place. It will enable your team to analyze call trends better and identify any areas for improvement, which will lead to greater productivity and a more successful business.
With the proliferation of smart devices, it’s important to remember that communications technology has evolved quickly in recent years. It has led to a rapid increase in telephone and fax numbers assigned in some geographic regions. As a result, some of these areas need more area codes.