OKLAHOMA CITY — OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Residents across eastern Oklahoma will have to get accustomed to a new telephone area code and dialing 10 digits, but won’t have to change their phone numbers under a plan approved Monday by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
The three-member panel voted 2-1 in favor of an “overlay” plan for the new 539 area code to be added to the existing geographic 918 area code, which includes most of eastern and northeastern Oklahoma, including metropolitan Tulsa.
The North American Numbering Plan Administration, which works with the Federal Communications Commission, selected the 539 area code Monday after the commission’s vote.
New customers and phone lines will be assigned the new area code no earlier than April 1, 2011. Existing customers will keep their current 918 area code phone numbers, and new customers still could be assigned 918 numbers, if they still are available.
Under the new plan, residents will have to dial 10 digits instead of seven for every call, even local ones. A “permissive calling” period will begin Aug. 7 and run until March 5, 2011, to help customers adjust to the change. During that time customers can dial either the seven- or 10-digit numbers.
Commissioners Bob Anthony and Jeff Cloud favored the overlay method, while Commissioner Dana Murphy, R-Edmond, opposed it, saying she preferred a geographic split.
“Making each area code distinct to a geographic part of the state helps rural and urban Oklahoma maintain their identities,” Murphy wrote in a dissenting statement.
State News
Panel OKs overlay for new eastern Okla. area code
- State News
-
-
Women encouraged to put health first
It’s an unfortunate fact that more than 60 percent of Oklahoma women are overweight and obese, which contributes to heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
-
Chandler man reflects on being first black to enlist in the Oklahoma National Guard
Berton Zephaniah Lewis sat back in his easy chair reflecting on the day in 1958 he was asked to join the Oklahoma Army National Guard.
-
Oklahoma Blood Institute remodels, gets new advisory board
The Oklahoma Blood Institute celebrated its recently remodeled donor center Wednesday.
-
Inhofe comments on new ‘upside down’ plane, Korea, Obama
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe has a new plane.
-
AG’s Victim Services Unit certifies faith-based program for trafficking survivors
The Attorney General’s Victim Services Unit has certified Oklahoma’s first program to offer services to adult victims of human sex trafficking.
-
Legislators fine tune cultural center plan
Gov. Mary Fallin has asked the state House and Senate leadership this week for a plan to complete the $171.5 million American Indian Cultural Center and Museum. The state Centennial Project was supposed to be completed in 2007.
-
Funding approved for Capitol Fitness Center
Gov. Mary Fallin today applauded the board of the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust for approving funds to create a fitness center at the state Capitol. Board members approved a $38,500 proposal submitted by the governor, which includes a $20,000 contribution from the Oklahoma Hospital Association. The funds will largely be used for exercise equipment.
-
‘Person of interest’ in Tulsa killing may be in Oklahoma City
Tulsa police believe a “person of interest” in a recent homicide may be in the Oklahoma City area.
-
Oklahomans, others learning importance of keeping tax refund cards secure
As Oklahoma prepares to issue thousands of tax refunds on debit cards, banking officials say it’s important to secure those cards to keep the money safe.
-
Insurance department apologizes for offensive language in email
The Oklahoma Insurance Department on Thursday apologized for what it described as “an unauthorized draft of an e-mail” that contained “offensive and unacceptable language” while promoting an upcoming tornado summit.
- More State News Headlines
-
Women encouraged to put health first
