As of this week the Canadian area code numbering authority has ruled that Saskatchewan is in jeopardy (PDF) and regular reviews of available numbers will be held. Within a couple of years, that means we’ll have a second area code in Saskatchewan, likely 474, in addition to the existing area code 306.
Whether we’ll do a split (where northern Saskatchewan gets one area code and southern gets another, for example) or an overlay (where everybody keeps their existing numbers but new phone numbers will all be in area code 474) is to be determined. An overlay is far simpler to implement (no one’s phone number changes), but it makes figuring out which numbers are local or long distance a little more complicated. (For example, someone in Regina on 306-949 might find that 306-244 is long distance but 474-555 is not.)
This issue was silent for years while other provinces needed new area codes. I think the sudden change in thinking is good evidence of the growth of the population of Saskatchewan. More people need more phone numbers.
Tags: 306, 474, area code, Saskatchewan