British Columbia to add yet another new area code this week

CHILLIWACK — British Columbia will add a sixth area code to the province in response to the increasing demand for phone numbers.

According to a statement Telecommunications Alliance, the new area code in B.C. will be 257 starting this Saturday, May 24. The new area code joins the existing area codes of 250, 604, 778, 236 and 672.

Telecommunications Alliance says the introduction of this new area code comes in response to the increasing demand for phone numbers, ensuring residents and businesses continue to have enough numbers to meet demand well into the future.

The new area code will be introduced gradually starting this Saturday. After this date, consumers and businesses requesting a new phone number may receive one with the new area code 257. Numbers with the current existing area codes may still be assigned to customers until the supply is exhausted.

Important information

• Existing numbers keep the same area code
• Local calling areas remain the same
• All local calls require 10 digits (area code + local number)
• Special numbers such as 211, 311, 411, 611,911 and 988 will still be dialed using only three digits
• Businesses using communications systems that restrict long distance calling will need to add 257 as a local area code

The Telecommunications Alliance

Canada’s major telecommunications service providers have coalesced to formulate a communications campaign informing the public about the introduction of new area codes in certain calling areas. For more information about new area codes in Canada, please visit newareacodes.ca.