Friday, April 19, 2024 | St. Lawrence County, NY
As the 315 Area Code for northern and central New York telephone cutstomers runs out of room for new telephone numbers, State Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R, C, IP - Rome) is urging people to contact …
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As the 315 Area Code for northern and central New York telephone cutstomers runs out of room for new telephone numbers, State Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R, C, IP - Rome) is urging people to contact the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) with their opinions of the proposed plans.
The Public Service Commission is considering two plans.
One is where the existing area will get a new code “overlaid” over the existing area, so that the current 315 area will have another three-digit code and new numbers would generally be given the new Area Code. That would mean people in the current 315 area would dial the whole number including Area Code to reach another phone in the area, even if it’s across the street.
The second plan would be to divide the current 315 area into two, leaving part of it with the 315 area and the rest would get the new code.
“The 315 Area Code has been a part of the region’s telecommunications system for decades. Those three little numbers have become part of our identity and everyday lives, so when someone wants to change them, the consequences are real,” said Griffo, a member of the Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications.
“That’s why I have said from the beginning, that a thorough analysis was essential and that any changes should receive a complete public disclosure before implementation,” said Griffo.”
The PSC is looking for public feedback on two competing plans. The geographic “split” plan would divide residents in the 18-county, 315 area into two areas. The “overlay” plan would assign any new phone numbers to the new Area Code.
The PSC has made a brief written survey available for consumers to express their support, opposition or suggestions to the proposal, available on the Department of Public Service website www.AskPSC.com.
Griffo said that he will also make copies available from his office for those who do not have internet access and request a copy.
Residents will have up until July 31 to comment on the plans.
The PSC alerted the public in 2007 that this change could take place, but the economic slowdown was blamed for reducing demand for new numbers and the plan was shelved until now.
