The 220 area code is a telephone area code that is currently not in use. It was created as an overlay for the 304 area code, which covers the entire state of West Virginia. The overlay was intended to provide additional telephone numbers for the region, but it has not been implemented yet.
History of the 220 area code
The 220 area code was first announced in 2017 by the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), which is responsible for assigning area codes in North America. The overlay was necessary due to the depletion of available telephone numbers in the 304 area code. The original plan was to implement the overlay in 2018, but it was postponed several times due to technical and administrative issues.
Where is the 220 area code located?
The 220 area code is intended to serve the same geographic region as the 304 area code, which covers the entire state of West Virginia. The overlay would have meant that new telephone numbers in the region would be assigned the 220 area code instead of the 304 area code. However, as mentioned earlier, the overlay has not been implemented yet, and there is currently no timeline for its activation.
Usage and Future of the 220 area code
As of now, the 220 area code is not in use, and there is no indication when it will be activated. NANPA has stated that they will provide at least six months’ notice before activating the overlay. When the overlay is implemented, it will not affect existing telephone numbers, and callers will still be able to reach their intended parties by dialing the same 10-digit telephone number they have been using.
In conclusion
the 220 area code is a telephone area code that was created to provide additional telephone numbers for the state of West Virginia. However, it has not been implemented yet due to technical and administrative issues. It is still unclear when the overlay will be activated, but NANPA has stated that they will provide ample notice before doing so. For now, callers in the region should continue to use the 304 area code when dialing telephone numbers.
FAQ’S
Q: What is the 220 area code?
A: This area code is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) serving the state of Ohio in the United States. It was created as an overlay to the existing 740 area code in March 2015 to provide additional telephone number capacity.
Q: Which cities and towns are served by the 220 area code?
A: This area code covers the same geographic region as the 740 area code, which includes cities and towns such as Athens, Chillicothe, Lancaster, Newark, and Zanesville.
Q: Do I need to dial the area code when making a local call within the 220 area code?
A: Yes, all calls made within this area code require 10-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit phone number), even for local calls.
Q: Can I keep my current phone number if I’m in the 740 area code and the 220 area code overlay is implemented?
A: Yes, existing phone numbers in the 740 area code will not be affected by the overlay, and customers can keep their current phone numbers.
Q: Can I get a phone number with the 220 area code if I live outside of Ohio?
A: No, the 220 area code is currently only assigned to Ohio and cannot be used for phone numbers in other states.
Q: How do I know if a phone number is in this area code?
A: Phone numbers in this area code will have a three-digit area code followed by a seven-digit phone number, like this: (220) XXX-XXXX.
Q: Who is responsible for assigning and managing area codes in the United States?
A: The North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) is responsible for assigning and managing area codes in the United States, along with other entities like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and local telephone companies.