Area Code Overlay Coming to Sacramento

Sacramento is adding the new area code 279 on top of the existing region served by area code 916 to ensure a continuing supply of phone numbers. If you live in the area, you need to get ready to change how you dial local calls.

New 279 Area Code Overlay

An area code overlay happens when a new area code - 279 - is added to the same geographic region of an area code - 916 - that’s currently being used.

916 Area Codes Affected

Anyone with a 916 phone number in the Greater Sacramento Area is affected by this change:

• Citrus Heights
• Elk Grove
• Folson
• Isleton
• Lincoln
• Loomis
• Rancho Cordova
• Rocklin
• Roseville
• Sacramento
• West Sacramento

How 916 Area Codes Are Affected by 279

If you have a 916 phone number, there are two things that you need to do:

Change how you dial local phone numbers. The new procedure will require you to dial the area code + telephone number or 1 + area code + telephone number regardless if you’re dialing a 916 or 279 phone number. Start getting used to dialing 10 or 11 digits instead of seven!

Change your automated services. Make sure that any equipment that you have currently programmed to dial 7 digits is updated to reflect the change. This includes life safety systems, medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, internet dial-up numbers, alarm security systems and gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings and voicemail services, to name a few.

Key Dates For 279 Rolling Out

August 12, 2017 - start using the new calling procedure 1 + area code + telephone number

February 10, 2018 - you must use the new dialing procedure or your local calls will not go through

March 10, 2018 - new lines or services in the area may be given numbers from the new 279 area code

Remember that your phone number will not change, it’s just how you dial locally that will. The price of your calls will also remain the same – you’ll still be calling locally if you live in the area regardless if you’re dialing 279 or 916.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at +1.888.980.9750. You can also go here for more information.