February 15, 1996

NYNEX CONTACT: Media Relations, (212) 395-0500

NYNEX Reserves Two New Area Codes

617 number supply to be exhausted by 1998; 508 by 1999

BOSTON, MA -- Two new area codes (781 in 617 and 978 in 508) have been reserved for Eastern Massachusetts to help keep pace with the demand for telephone numbers for new phone lines, fax machines, computers, pagers, cellular phones and other new services.

The new area codes could be introduced in 1998 when the 617 area code is due to run out of numbers, and in 1999 as 508 nears depletion.

Fifteen new area codes were added nationwide in 1995, and at least eight more are scheduled to debut this year, all part of the national trend of growing demand for telecommunications services.

"The need for new area codes is really a positive indicator of the economic vitality of the Commonwealth," said Tom DeSisto, NYNEX regulatory affairs managing director. "We are not growing in population, as are some areas which need new codes. We're growing in how we use telecommunications to put our data and information-rich resources to work for us."

Options for using the new area codes include the following: splitting both 617 and 508, just as 617 was split to make 508 in 1988 overlaying 781 on top of 617, and 978 over 508, so that each existing area code has a second code with precisely the same boundaries, just as virtually every city and town today has several exchange codes within its borders.

Each option has its pluses and minuses. A split of 617 and 508 would maintain area codes by distinct geography but would cause considerable confusion and disruption, requiring customers to change a total of 1.5 million phone numbers. It would be the most costly option for customers, particularly businesses, requiring them to change their printed materials and reprogram many automated systems.

Overlaying new area codes on the precise boundaries of 617 and 508 would mean that no customers would have to change their phone numbers. The new codes would co-exist with the current ones, sharing the same boundaries much as several exchange codes -- the first three digits of a phone number -- are used in a given city or town. It would be the least costly option, causing the least disruption to customers.

With both the geographic split and overlay methods, more 11-digit dialing will be required for some local calls. An overlay solution would allow more customers to continue dialing seven digits for calls within their local calling area. Under either plan, there could be two different area codes in use in some communities.

NYNEX expects to recommend the overlay option as the choice which is least disruptive to customers when a telecommunications industry committee meets next month to consider all alternatives. Following review and approval by the Department of Public Utilities, the new area codes will be formally assigned by BellCORE's North American Numbering Plan Administration.

DeSisto said that new area codes will not change telephone service rates.

When 781 and 978 are introduced, Massachusetts will join seven other states with five or more area codes -- Michigan (5), Pennsylvania (5), Florida (6), Illinois (7), New York (9), Texas (10) and California (13).

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