The CRTC is adding a new area code for British Columbians starting June 1. The area code 236 will be introduced to keep up with demand for new phone numbers in the province.
People will not be required to change their existing numbers and the 236 area code will only be implemented in areas where existing codes of 604, 778 and 250 have been exhausted. Availability of the new numbers will vary by community along with demand.
Geographic boundaries for long distance calling will not be affected by the additional area code.
Back in fall of 2010, the CRTC reported BC would experience a numbers shortfall by 2016, due to heavy demand for new numbers driven by growing cellphone adoption. Looks like the introduction of the new code is coming a couple years earlier than expected.
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As someone who sells phone services, i find it a bit annoying – but we’ve also known about this for years. Last time a change like this happened, the 778 came into play and people are STILL complaining and wanting to get a 604 number … i wonder what this will do to clients.
Send them to Saskatchewan?