Comprehensive Guide to Area Code 846.00: Everything You Need to Know

Introduction

Area code 846.00 is a newly assigned area code that will overlay the existing 312 area code in Chicago, Illinois. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the new area code in 2023 to address the growing demand for telephone numbers in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Background

The 312 area code has been in use since 1947 and has become saturated with new telephone lines. As a result, the FCC has implemented a plan to overlay a new area code over the existing one. This means that both 312 and 846.00 will be in use within the same geographic area.

Timeline

The following timeline outlines the key events related to area code 846.00:

Permissive and Mandatory Dialing Periods

During the permissive dialing period, which begins on March 25, 2024, callers can dial either 312 or 846.00 for local calls within the Chicago area. However, starting on September 23, 2024, mandatory dialing will begin, which means that all local calls must be dialed using the 846.00 area code.

Affected Geographic Areas

The following geographic areas will be affected by area code 846.00:

Why Area Code Overlays Matter

Area code overlays are necessary to ensure that there are enough telephone numbers to meet the growing demand for telecommunications services. Without overlays, new phone lines could not be issued in areas where the existing area code has become saturated.

Benefits of Area Code Overlays

Area code overlays offer several benefits, including:

• Increased availability of telephone numbers: Overlays allow for the issuance of additional phone numbers in areas where the existing area code has run out of numbers.
• Reduced cost of telecommunications services: Overlays can help to reduce the cost of telecommunications services by increasing competition among telephone providers.
• Improved efficiency: Overlays can improve the efficiency of the telecommunications system by allowing customers to dial local calls without having to use a different area code.

Tips and Tricks

• Update your contact information: Make sure to update your contact information to include the new 846.00 area code. This includes your business cards, websites, and social media profiles.
• Program your devices: Reprogram your phones, fax machines, and other devices to use the new area code.
• Be patient: It may take some time for everyone to adjust to the new area code. Be patient when dialing local numbers and expect some errors during the transition period.

Comparison of Pros and Cons

Pros

• Increased availability of telephone numbers
• Reduced cost of telecommunications services
• Improved efficiency

Cons

• Can be confusing during the transition period
• May require reprogramming of devices

Conclusion

Area code 846.00 is a necessary addition to the Chicago telecommunications system. It will help to ensure that there are enough telephone numbers to meet the growing demand for telecommunications services. While there may be some short-term inconveniences during the transition period, the long-term benefits of the overlay will far outweigh the costs.

Tables

Table 1: Affected Geographic Areas

Table 2: Timeline of Area Code 846.00 Implementation

Table 3: Comparison of Area Code Overlay Pros and Cons

Call to Action

If you reside or conduct business in the affected geographic areas, please update your contact information and reprogram your devices to use area code 846.00. For more information, please visit the website of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) at www.icc.illinois.gov.