782 area code coming to P.E.I.

Romeo

- October 2, 2012 at 08:05:57

Why is is we here all agree on the same idea about giving PEI its own area code and the company can't figure that out. Allow Islanders to keep their numbers but have a new area code. Then the Island numbers with 902 area code would be useful for Nova Scotia. The other thing they can do is review numbers that have not been in use for say, 5 years and allow those to be reused

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  think about it

  - October 2, 2012 at 12:09:59

  Because that would cost the telephone companies money and it is cheaper to just overlay another area code. Besides, PEI is part of Nova Scotia in all but name only. We have never counted as a separate province and never will.

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  Geoff in Alberta

  - October 2, 2012 at 12:21:39

  This kind of change isn't thrown together, Romeo. They gather information about how many exchanges are in use, which areas are growing faster than others and drawing on the supply of available numbers. The results showed that there is no one area of 902 that is growing substantially faster leaving the others stagnant. Also, a split that separates PEI into its own code would leave several million numbers stranded, and NS would still need further code relief in a few years unless growth severely slackens off. The alternative would have been a split of Nova Scotia into two zones, the north or northwestern one keeping PEI. Myself, I would have favoured erasing the boundary with 506 and then overlaying all three provinces when required. This is actually a small tempest of change. People in London, England, had their numbers changed three times in eleven years. If you started with (01) 975-1234, in 1990 it became (071) 975-1234, then in 1995 it became (0171) 975-1234, then in 2000 it became (020) 7975-1234! The day is coming, sometime in the 21st Century, when every North American phone number will change from 10 digits to 11 or, more likely, 12 digits. We'll all be grumbling, but it'll happen because North America will be about to run out of area codes. In 1994, there were only 143 area codes, and the 349th area code went into use two weeks ago, and there's only about 750 total, not including special purpose codes.

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  Geoff in Alberta

  - October 2, 2012 at 12:23:04

  oh, yes, numbers are reused within a year of being disconnected... and in "jeopardy situations", even just six months, while it might still be listed in the phone book with someone else's name!

Heather W

- October 2, 2012 at 06:16:07

In theory changing everyone on PEI to 782 is easy, but you try telling someone who has had a certain number for 20 or more years that all of a sudden they have to get a new number. And think about the fun it would be trying to call everyone with your phone number to tell them it has changed.

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Eunice from Alberta

- October 2, 2012 at 00:17:30

WE Albertians are using the 10 digit calling system,and it works fine. It just takes a few more seconds to dial those extra digits. We hated the thought of it being three more #,but we have got use to it. What if our local provider said no more # as we have run out of area codes,then our children or grand children would have to wait till some one gave up their #,or died . Its called progress.

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Ed Gallant

- October 1, 2012 at 17:21:46

How is this going to help the current shortage of 902 #'s in Nova Scotia now? Why wouldn't they designate all phones on PEI area code 782 instead of just the new ones starting in 2014? Shouldn't PEI have their own area code?

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  jason arsenault

  - October 1, 2012 at 17:31:14

  maybe nova scotia needs there own area code

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  ED GALLANT

  - October 1, 2012 at 22:03:01

  JASON ARSENAULT - That is what I am saying. By PEI getting their own area code, the 902 would be for Nova Scotia

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  andy

  - October 2, 2012 at 06:12:56

  All Canadians have recognized for the past 139 years that PEI isn't a real province. Without having a real economy, it is in all respects a part of Nova Scotia, which is a GREAT province. And this is formally recognized at least according to the telephone industry and the CRTC. Hopefully the federal government will see this wisdom in the coming years and formally recognize the economic situation and just stop referring to PEI as a province. Next time you see Robert Ghiz just call him by his actual title.... MAYOR.

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  Townie

  - October 2, 2012 at 08:37:25

  You have to keep in mind all the infrastructure out there that keeps the phones going. A lot of equipment (Phone companies, business's, government etc) are programed with phone numbers. To change the numbers on all that equipment would be astounding in the amount of man hours it will take. Sure, in two years we will have a new area code, but don't you worry, in about 5 years after that we will have a third. If you want to growl, complain about the amount of cell phones out there using up all the phone numbers. Before one family of 4 would have one phone number, now they have 4 cell phones and a homeline or two so they are using up 5 numbers, it all adds up quick.

RG

- October 1, 2012 at 17:02:11

Why will we need to dial 10 numbers after that goes in place? If a 902 number is long distance, it forces us to dial 10 numbers now, so why can't their system still just recognize if it's long distance or not by the 7 digits??

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  new area codes

  - October 1, 2012 at 21:25:33

  We will need to dial the area code when this goes in to place because there will need up being two numbers the same ie 782-222-2222 or 902-222-2222, so therefore we will need to dial the area code in front of the number to distinguish between them. I think this absolutely stupid. They should just change either the island or ns to a brand new area code. People living beside you could need up with a different area code than you. ***To ED Gallant, I know it didn't say in this news report but a few months ago they mentioned that there are still numbers availible now but there will be a shortage in a couple of years.

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  ED GALLANT

  - October 2, 2012 at 17:39:36

  NEW AREA CODES -Completely understand. Went thru it n Toronto and Oakville. 416 and 905. Regions are now known by their area codes. Wasn't familiar with the situation in N.S., but it makes sense.

OMG

- October 1, 2012 at 17:01:00

Seriously? Would it be just easier to change the whole Island or Nova Scotia to the new area code so we don't have to dial 10 digits and have 2 different area codes?

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  ED GALLANT

  - October 1, 2012 at 22:05:00

  In a word - Yes!

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  GOD

  - October 2, 2012 at 06:07:59

  In another word.... NO.