Input Sought Over A New Oklahoma Area Code

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- The Oklahoma Corporation Commission is looking for the public's input concerning adding a new area code to eastern Oklahoma now served by the 918 area code.

The commission held a news conference in Tulsa Thursday morning.  Residents will be able to choose between two options on how to deal with the new number.

Option 1 - splitting the 918 area code in two area codes.

Option 2 - overlaying another area code to the current 918 area code.

Each option has advantages and disadvantages.

The OCC is offering more information on those options at its web site. 

Commission officials say they've worked to delay the day when the 918 area code would run out of numbers. But now say the list of available numbers will run out by the end of 2011.

A survey will be added to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission's web site on March 1.

The OCC says they will also give eastern Oklahoma residents a chance to voice their opinions and concerns regarding this issue. 

Along with the survey, the commission plans to hold community meetings on this topic. Those dates will be announced later this month.

Oklahoma now has three area codes.   

The 405 area code includes the Oklahoma City area, while 918 serves Tulsa and surrounding environs and 580 serves many rural parts of the state.

Look at a map of the 918 area code.