Southwestern Ontario getting new 548 area code

OTTAWA – The region of southwestern Ontario currently served by area codes 226 and 519 will be getting a third area code next year.

The new 548 area code will be available starting June 4, 2016, and won’t affect the local calling areas.

After that date, residents and businesses requesting a new phone number may get a number with the 548 area code.

Numbers with the new area code will only be assigned to customers when the existing supply of 226 and 519 numbers is depleted.

Currently, the 226 and 519 area codes cover most of southwestern Ontario, including the communities of London, Windsor, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Brantford, Sarnia, Woodstock, Stratford and Owen Sound.

The new area code is the result of the continuously growing demand for new telephone numbers.