Competition and new telecommunications providers entering the market are consuming the available prefixes. In addition, the rapid proliferation of cellular phones, pagers, fax machines, modem lines and Internet-based enhanced services is accelerating the use or consumption of these numbers. Many homeowners are opting to have two or more phone lines installed in their homes and businesses are adding phone lines at a brisk pace. All of these factors mean that there are fewer and fewer numbers available. FCC rules prohibit the assignment of numbers based solely on a group's specific type of telecommunications service or the use of a particular technology.
Telecommunications providers begin meeting to identify possible solutions to the problem.
A geographic split essentially draws a line through an existing area code and assigns a new area code to customers on one side of the line. The other side of the line would retain their existing area code. This requires many customers to change their telephone numbers and distribute the new number to all of their contacts. Businesses will have to reprint stationery, business cards, brochures, checks and other printed materials. Residential consumers will need to alert their friends, family and businesses they use to let them know the new area code.