To ensure a continuing supply of new telephone numbers, the New York Public Service Commission has approved an all-services area code overlay for the 716 area code region.  The 716 area code is in the western portion of New York and includes all or parts of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties, and serves communities including, but not limited to, Buffalo, Jamestown, Cheektowaga, Tonawanda, Niagara Falls, and West Seneca.  The new 624 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 716 area code.

 

What is an Area Code Overlay?

An overlay is the addition of another area code (624) to the same geographic region as an existing area code region (716). The overlay does not require you to change your existing area code or phone number, or how you dial your calls.  You will continue to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, as you do today, within and between the 716 and new 624 area codes.

 

Who will be affected and when does the new 624 area code become effective?

Beginning November 16, 2023, customers in the 716 area code overlay region may be assigned a number in the new 624 area code when they request new service or an additional line.  Customers receiving a 624 area code will be required to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, just as customers with telephone numbers from the 716 area code do today.

 

What will you need to do?

Customers in the overlay region should:

• Continue to dial 10 digits for all local calls, including calls within the same area code.
• Continue to identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number, and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, customers, etc.
• Ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 624 area code as a valid area code and continue to store or program telephone numbers as 10-digit numbers.  Some examples are: stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors and other similar equipment.
• Check items such as your website, personal and business stationery and printed checks, advertising materials, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

 

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.
• You will continue to dial 10 digits for local calls within and between the overlay area codes, and 1+10 digits for long distance calls.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, or 811 if those are currently available in your community.

 

Who may you contact with questions?

If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call DFT Communications at 716-673-3000 or access www.dftcommunications.com for more information.  You can also visit the New York Public Service Commission website at https://dps.ny.gov/telecommunications.