Cracking the area code
EUGENE, Ore. - The days of the 541 area code are numbered. The state Public Utility Commission says all the available phone numbers will be used up by 2011, so the commission wants your ideas on what to do next.
There are about eight million phone numbers in each area code. With so many devices out there, the available 541 numbers are almost gone. Contractor Mark Johnston is part of the reason. He relies on three cell phones for business. And he's got a strong opinion on which of the four possible plans the state should implement. Plan number one overlays a new area code on the entire 541 area. Option two gives Western Oregon an additional area code, while Eastern Oregon stays with just 541. And the final choice splits 541 into two area codes, with only one region getting to keep the old code. However, splitting the area in two means some people must change their numbers, and business owners must bear the cost of printing new signs and cards. That's why Johnston favors the overlay. "It would be a lot of effort," he said. "And a lot of people know my number now, so to have to tell them a whole new one would just be too time consuming." The phone industry also supports overlaying one area code, even if some customers are against pressing all those numbers. "We've done these before and 10 digit dialing always comes up as a major issue," said Ron Trullinger with Qwest. "But I can tell you once the cut ever happens, it becomes a non-issue. People find out it's really not a big deal." The commission is holding public meetings around the state through August. It expects to make a decision in October.
Number three extends 971 from the Portland area to cover the entire state.
The first three plans bring an end to seven digit dialing in our area. You'd have to enter 10 numbers on local calls.
