Our listeners in the state of Arkansas should get used to dialing the full number when calling out, as there is a new area code set to be in use in the coming year, which means a full 10-digit dialing method will soon be a necessity.
This information comes from the Arkansas Public Service Commission, which has stated that the current 870 area code, used for a sizable chunk of the state, will exhaust its numbering supply during the first quarter of 2025. They go on to say that everyone who currently uses an 870 number will maintain their area code, and that this change will only affect new numbers after February 25th, 2024. The new area code is 327.
As a result of this addition to the current numbering system, those who make calls in the area will now have to resort to using the full 10-digit number to make outbound calls. The new area code was assigned by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator, or NANPA.