New 236 Area Code Rolled Out In B.C. | CBC News

New 236 area code rolled out in B.C. | CBC News LoadedBritish ColumbiaNew 236 area code rolled out in B.C.British Columbia's fourth area code, 236, is being rolled out on Saturday, just six years after the 778 area code was introduced, in order to meet the rising demand for new numbers.

Smartphones and wireless devices driving demand

CBC News · Posted: May 31, 2013 11:06 PM EDT | Last Updated: June 1, 2013PlayText to Speech IconListen to this articleEstimated 1 minuteThe 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.

New 236 area code coming to B.C.

June 1, 2013|Duration 1:55Increased smartphone use has driven up demand for new numbers

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British Columbia’s fourth area code, 236, is being rolled out on Saturday, just six years after the 778 area code was introduced, in order to meet the rising demand for new numbers.

Officials say our love of smartphones and other wireless technology has meant a sharp increase in the demand for new telephone numbers.

While residential users don’t need to make any changes to their equipment, businesses that restrict long distance calls will need to reprogram their equipment to accept the 236 area code as local, the group said.

Until 1996, 604 was the only area code in British Columbia. At that time, 250 was introduced to serve the area outside the Greater Vancouver area.

In 2001, area code 778 and 10-digit dialing were introduced in the Greater Vancouver area, before being extended across the province in 2008.

Officials have already set aside another area code 672 for future expansion in B.C.

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