Montreal Area Codes 514 And 438 Are Overworked. Here Comes 263 ...

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Montreal area codes 514 and 438 are overworked. Here comes 263 to the rescue | CBC News LoadedMontrealMontreal area codes 514 and 438 are overworked. Here comes 263 to the rescueThe supply of phone numbers with area codes 514 and 438 is running low. As of next fall, the 263 will enter the fray.

Projections showed 514 and 438 area codes will 'exhaust' in 3 years

CBC News · Posted: Nov 02, 2021 7:32 AM EDT | Last Updated: November 2, 2021PlayText to Speech IconListen to this articleEstimated 2 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
The Montreal region will get a new area code as of next fall to make up for the fact that the supply of 438 and 514 numbers is running low. (Radio-Canada)

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Montrealers, we're running out of 514 and 438 phone numbers.

Enter the 263.

On Monday, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced that the new area code will be rolled out during the fall of next year.

According to the Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA), the Montreal region is expected to run out of 514 and 438 combinations in February of 2024.

That's not as bad as an earlier projection from the CNA.

Last June, it published data that showed the 438 and 514 area codes could "exhaust by June 2022", placing it in "jeopardy condition."

According to Monday's release from the CRTC, here are a few reasons why it says a new area code is the simplest solution to this dilemma:

  • Introducing a new area code is better than changing existing numbers.
  • 10-digit local dialling is already in place in the Montreal region, since you need to dial 514 or 438 to make sure you reach the right number, so adding a new area code isn't a big deal
  • It also creates fewer separate areas where telephone number "relief planning" may be needed in the future.

The 263 will start being rolled out in and around Montreal as of Oct. 22, 2022.

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