What Is The 971 Area Code And How Does It Work

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The 971 area code is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) that serves the state of Oregon, specifically the northwestern part of the state, including the city of Portland. It is one of the two area codes assigned to the Portland metropolitan area, the other being 503.

The 971 area code was introduced in 2000 as an overlay of the 503 area code, which means that it serves the same geographic area as the 503 area code. The introduction of the 971 area code was necessary due to the rapid growth of the Portland metropolitan area and the resulting increase in demand for new phone numbers.

Here's how the 971 area code works:

Assignment and Allocation

The 971 area code is assigned to the state of Oregon by the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), which is responsible for managing the NANP. The allocation of the 971 area code is managed by the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC), which is responsible for ensuring that phone numbers are allocated fairly and efficiently.

Overlay Area Code

As an overlay area code, the 971 area code serves the same geographic area as the 503 area code. This means that both area codes are used in the same region, and phone users in the region can have either a 503 or a 971 area code.

Ten-Digit Dialing

To ensure that calls are connected correctly, phone users in the Portland metropolitan area are required to use ten-digit dialing, which means that they must dial the area code (either 503 or 971) followed by the seven-digit phone number.

Example of Phone Number Format

Here's an example of how a phone number with the 971 area code might look:

971-123-4567

In this example, "971" is the area code, and "123-4567" is the seven-digit phone number.

Benefits of the 971 Area Code

The introduction of the 971 area code has provided several benefits, including:

• Increased phone number availability: The 971 area code has provided a new pool of phone numbers for allocation, which has helped to meet the growing demand for new phone numbers in the Portland metropolitan area.
• Reduced dialing confusion: The use of ten-digit dialing has reduced dialing confusion and errors, as phone users are required to dial the area code in addition to the seven-digit phone number.
• Improved emergency services: The 971 area code has improved emergency services by providing a more efficient and effective way to route emergency calls to the correct dispatch center.

Interesting Facts About the 971 Area Code

Here are a few interesting facts about the 971 area code:

• The 971 area code is one of the few area codes in the United States that is assigned to a specific geographic region (the Portland metropolitan area) rather than a specific telephone exchange.
• The 971 area code is not a "split" area code, which means that it does not serve a specific geographic region that was previously served by another area code.
• The 971 area code is a " overlay" area code, which means that it serves the same geographic area as the 503 area code.

Common Questions About the 971 Area Code

Here are a few common questions about the 971 area code:

• Q: What is the 971 area code, and how does it work? A: The 971 area code is a telephone area code that serves the Portland metropolitan area in Oregon. It is an overlay area code, which means that it serves the same geographic area as the 503 area code.
• Q: Do I need to dial the area code when making a local call? A: Yes, phone users in the Portland metropolitan area are required to use ten-digit dialing, which means that they must dial the area code (either 503 or 971) followed by the seven-digit phone number.
• Q: Can I keep my existing phone number if I move to a new location within the Portland metropolitan area? A: Yes, phone users can keep their existing phone number if they move to a new location within the Portland metropolitan area, as long as the new location is served by the same area code.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 971 area code is a telephone area code that serves the Portland metropolitan area in Oregon. It is an overlay area code, which means that it serves the same geographic area as the 503 area code. The 971 area code has provided several benefits, including increased phone number availability, reduced dialing confusion, and improved emergency services. Phone users in the Portland metropolitan area are required to use ten-digit dialing, which means that they must dial the area code (either 503 or 971) followed by the seven-digit phone number.

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