The 411 on the 315 and 680 Area Code Changes

The much anticipated 315 overlay will go into effect starting on Saturday, February 11th, 2017. On this day and every one after you must dial either 315 prior to your call. The reason for this is 315 will no longer be the only area code in Central New York.

Verizon wireless has set up a website dedicated specifically to answering any questions you may have regarding this new procedure. Some of the questions are as follows:

• Who's affected by the New York 315/680 area code overlay?
• Why is the New York 315/680 area code overlay necessary?
• What will I need to do to prepare for the New York 315 / 680 area code overlay?

The answers to these questions may seem simple, but to some it's a major adjustment. For example if you have never entered the '315' before the phone numbers in your contacts, the number will not dial correctly.

Why the overlay? According to Verizon,

The 680 area code is being added to the area served by the 315 area code to ensure a continuing supply of phone numbers. Because more than one area code will now serve the same geographic region, the area code and phone number must be used when calling any phone number, including calls within the same area code.

To answer one of the several 'FAQs' answered by Verizon, the areas specifically impacted by the change include areas such as Auburn, Oswego, Rome, Syracuse, Utica, and Watertown. Essentially it is the north-central portion of the state. The 680 area code will be included in the same geographic region as 315.

For more information on this overlay, or if you have questions you can visit: http://www.vzw.com/315overlay.

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