August 17, 2000

OTTAWA-HULL — By November 3^rd, 2001, telephone subscribers in the Greater Vancouver Regional District, including the Abbotsford and Mission exchanges of 604, will be assigned an additional area code. This will result in 10-digit local dialing for all 604 residents. This decision by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is the result of a public process aimed at finding a solution to a shortage of telephone numbers in the 604 area code.

Canada, along with most of the industrialised world is experiencing an increasing need for telephone numbers. The demand for telephone numbers has increased faster than experts predicted. The new numbers are needed for new subscribers, Internet access, facsimile machines, wireless phones, pagers and for new telecommunications companies.

The CRTC encouraged the public to participate in working groups with telephone and cellular companies to consider options to telephone number exhaust in the 604 area. The options that were considered, included splitting exchanges along municipal boundaries; splitting the Vancouver exchanges; and adding a new area code throughout the 604 region.

The CRTC chose to add a new area code specifically in the Greater Vancouver, Abbotsford and Mission exchanges. These areas have the greatest potential for growth and this solution was the least disruptive to telephone subscribers overall. The new area code is expected to be announced shortly.

When telephone numbers are depleted in an area code, a new code must be introduced to replenish the supply of numbers. The seven-digit telephone numbers under one area code can also be used under the new area code. Without moving to 10-digit dialing, calls could not be completed when dialed.

The CRTC has directed all telephone service providers to develop public awareness campaigns to advise their customers by May 26^th, 2001, of any changes that will affect them. This will include an automated telephone announcement reminding customers of the need to dial 10 digits.

Reference documents: Order CRTC 2000-786, Public Notice CRTC 2000-36

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Copies of today’s documents are available through our Internet site ( http://www.crtc.gc.ca ) or by contacting the public examination room of any CRTC office. These documents are available in alternative format upon request.