To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the 669 area code will be added to the area served by 408. This is known as an area code overlay. Get ready to change the way you dial your calls!

Q: What is an area code overlay?
A: An overlay is the addition of another area code (669) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (408).

Q: Why an overlay?
A: An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code as an area code split would.

Q: Who will be affected?
A: The 408 area code generally covers most of Santa Clara County and small portions of Alameda and Santa Cruz Counties and principally serves the communities of Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Palo Alto, San Jose, San Martin, Santa Clara, Saratoga, San Antonio, Sunnyvale and a small portion of Fremont.

Q: What will be the new dialing procedure?
A: To complete calls from a landline phone, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial 1 + area code + telephone number. This means that all calls in the 408 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to be dialed using 1 + area code + telephone number.

To complete calls from a cellular or mobile phone, callers may dial the area code + telephone number or 1 + area code + telephone number whenever placing a call from a phone number with the 408 or 669 area code.

 

Calling From	Calling To	Dial
408 Area Code	669 Area Code	1 + 669 + Number
669 Area Code	408 Area Code	1 + 408 + Number
408 Area Code	408 Area Code	1 + 408 + Number
669 Area Code	669 Area Code	1 + 669 + Number

 
Q: When will the change begin?
A: Effective April 21, 2012, you should begin using the new dialing procedures whenever you place a call from the 408 area code. If you forget and dial just seven digits, your call will still be completed.

Beginning October 20, 2012, 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.

Beginning November 20, 2012, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers using the 669 area code.

Q: What will you need to do?
A: In addition to changing your dialing procedures, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed with a 7-digit number will need to be reprogrammed to use the new dialing procedures. Some examples are life safety systems, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, etc. You may also want to check your business stationery or advertising materials to ensure the area code is included.

Q: What will remain the same?
A: The following will remain the same when the change goes into effect:
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 can still dial just three digits to reach 911, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811.

Q: How will customer directory listings be impacted?
A: The telecommunications industry will be updating the directory listings in the white pages for all affected communities 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.

Q: Why would another area code be necessary where I live or work?
A: There are a limited number of combinations of prefixes that are available to be used with an area code. Prefixes, also called codes, are assigned and are specific to, geographic locations which are called rate centers. Some rate centers run low on prefixes and require more prefixes. When there are no more prefixes available for assignment, more numbers must be made available and this means the addition of another area code.

Q: Who may you contact with questions?
A: If you have any questions regarding information provided, please contact Comcast Customer Service at 1-800-XFINITY or access the following website for more information: www.cpuc.ca.gov/408areacode.