ALBANY — Earlier this week, the New York State Public Service Commission announced that residential, business and wireless customers within the existing 845 area code region (Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties) should begin to prepare for the introduction of the new 329 area code, as early as the third quarter of 2023.

To meet the increasing demand for residential and business phone numbers, the Commission, on April 14, 2022, approved a new area code to be added to the current 845 area code that serves all or parts of Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties.

Beginning the third quarter of 2023, customers in the existing 845 area code requesting new service, an additional line, or a move in the location of their service, may be assigned a number in the new 329 area code.

The new area code is projected to provide telephone numbering relief for approximately 28 years.

Area code notes

• Current telephone numbers, including current area code, will not change.

• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.

• What is a local call now will continue to remain a local call.

• Calls between 329 and 845 area codes are local calls.

• Consumers will continue to dial the area code + telephone number for all calls to other area codes.

• Calls to reach 911 Emergency Service will remain three digits.

• Customers should ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, applications, software, or other types of equipment recognize the new 329 area code as a valid area code. Some examples of such are life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, mobile phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions. Business stationery, advertising materials, personal checks, and personal or pet ID tags should include the area code.