Welcoming the new area code on the block, 657

The California Public Utilities Commission decided Thursday to add a new overlay area code, 657, in the region that has long been home to area code 714, citing a shortage of unused phone numbers. Rather than split the area in half and change existing phone numbers, the commission decided to use 657 for new numbers in the same area.

The new numbers will start being issued a year from now. The region includes many cities in northern Orange County, including Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach.

The state and phone companies tried to give out numbers conservatively, commission President Michael R. Peevey said in a statement.

While residents and businesses won’t have to change their existing numbers, the downside is that they’ll have to dial more digits — 10, rather than 7 — even within their own area code.

“While 10-digit dialing takes some getting used to by consumers, we believe this action is necessary,” Commissioner Rachelle Chong said in a news release. “Consumers will need to reprogram their stored telephone numbers on all their phones to add the 1 plus area code starting five months from today, and should do so no later than August 2008.”

— Michael Alexander