Maine Public Utilities Commission

NEWS RELEASE 

Maine Public Utilities Commission
242 State Street
Augusta, Maine 04333-0018
Website: http://www.state.me.us/mpuc/  
E-mail:  maine.puc@maine.gov

CONTACT: Phillip Lindley, 207.287.1598, phil.lindley@maine.gov

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2001

No New Area Code: Maine PUC Successful
With Number Conservation Measures  

The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) recently released its newest projection for area code exhaust.  The projected exhaust for the 207 Area Code is now the third quarter of 2005, a three-year extension from the first projections.  While we feel that NANPA’s estimate is conservative, we applaud its recognition that Maine’s number conservation efforts have mad a significant difference.

Over the past year, there have been several significant developments at both the state and national levels relating to numbering issues.  First, in June 2000, the Commission began thousand-block number pooling in Verizon-Maine’s service territory, which covers about 85% of Maine.  Number pooling allocates numbers more efficiently by requiring that blocks of 1,000 numbers be given to carriers, rather than blocks of 10,000.  Maine was the fifth state in the country to implement this new approach to number administration. 

The Commission has also adopted additional conservation measures which, when combined with number pooling, should delay the need for a second area code in Maine well beyond the four years estimated by NANPA.  Indeed, based upon preliminary calculations by PUC staff, we believe that our conservation efforts will extend the life of the 207 Area Code for at least 10 to15 years.  “Given that three years ago, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator told us that a new area code would be needed by June of 2000, we believe our efforts have been well spent and will continue to benefit Maine consumers and businesses for many years to come,” said Chairman Thomas Welch.

The Commission continues to be active at the national level on numbering issues.  Our staff has led state efforts to implement federal regulations that support state number conservation efforts.  We have participated in the Federal Communications Commission’s rulemaking on numbering issues as well as on issues before the North American Numbering Council.  Our experience in Maine has allowed us to influence national policy by showing that state-adopted conservation measures work. 

The Commission will continue to advocate for all the regulatory and conservation tools we need, both at the FCC and in coordination with industry and other state commissions.  Maine consumers and businesses should not be burdened by the costs and inconveniences associated with new area codes when effective conservation measures can avoid the need for a new area code in the first place.

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For more information:
Maine PUC Docket No. 98-634 (http://janus.state.me.us/mpuc/areacode.htm)
North American Numbering Plan Administration: http://www.nanpa.com
Federal Communications Commission: http://www.fcc.gov

All PUC New Releases maybe found on our website at: http://janus.state.me.us/mpuc/news-dir.htm

To arrange an interview with Chairman Welch or Commissioners Nugent or Diamond, please contact Phillip Lindley at 207.287.1598 or by e-mail at phil.lindley@maine.gov.  The Commission’s website may be accessed through the Maine School and Library Network at all public libraries in Maine.