Locals Respond to Expiring Area Code
By: Paige Preusse
Updated: March 20, 2013
The deadline nears for Valley folks to find an efficient way to respond to an expiring area code.
Officials in a Wednesday night meeting in Vincennes say the influx of cellphone users will cause the 812 area code to run out of numbers, most likely, in 2015.
Locals voiced their opinions on two options.
First, an overlay, which would allow locals to keep their digits, and give all new lines different area codes.
The other would split the region geographically, allowing some residents to keep their area code and others not to.
Some locals feel this option would be a financial burden.
Officials say it's important that residents speak up about their stance before the end of the year.
"We're still in the public comment period, and that will continue until May 7th. We're still expecting a decision by the end of the year. Regardless of the decision made, it will take about a year to implement the new code, and that will include a grace period to let people get used to the changes," said Anthony Swinger with Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor.
You can visit www.In.gov/oucc to submit your input.
