Demand for phone numbers means a new area code for Saskatchewan

A new area code has been in the works for Saskatchewan, but an increase in demand for phone numbers in the province will require the new area code to be assigned sooner than expected.

The Canadian Numbering Administrator (CAN) says Saskatchewan is running out of 306 phone number blocks and is expected to exhaust the supply of telephone numbers by May 2013. It was originally thought a new area code would not be needed until 2014 at the earliest.

The increase in demand is due to a combination of factors: the growing population in the province, an explosion of cell phone numbers and more competitive carriers in Saskatchewan.

There are a number of steps to assigning a new area code. The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) needs to issue a Telecom Notice of Public Consultation. A Relief Planning Committee needs to be formed to analyze all options and develop a recommendation for implementing the new area code in the province. The options will include either a geographical split or a provincial overlay of the new area code.

Once the CRTC has approved the committee’s recommendation, implementation of the new area code will start. SaskTel will notify customers of the impact of the change, one will impact everyone.

“The implementation of a new area code will affect us all,” said Bill Boyd, SaskTel Minister, and that SaskTel “will work to minimize the impact and will provide detailed communications prior to the changes taking effect.”

306 has been Saskatchewan’s lone area code since 1947.