Missouri Public Service Commission

JEFFERSON CITY---The Missouri Public Service Commission continues to work with the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) and the telecommunications industry on implementation of an overlay plan and the introduction of a new area code in the 816 area code region in Missouri. The new area code will be 975. All existing 816 area code customers will retain their current area code in the overlay area and their telephone numbers will not be changed.

The 816 area code serves communities such as, but not limited to, Kansas City, St. Joseph, Savannah, Richmond, Maysville, Odessa, Adrian, Holden, Lawson and Drexel.

The Missouri Public Service Commission originally adopted an overlay plan for the 816 and 314 area codes in an order issued on October 24, 2000. However, on September 25, 2001, the Commission delayed indefinitely the implementation of the area code overlay relief plans in order to allow time to test the effectiveness of telephone number conservation efforts.

“Telephone number conservation efforts were successful and we were able to delay the area code overlay implementation plan for the 816 area code for more than 21 years,” said Public Service Commission Chairman Scott Rupp. “The exhaustion of available telephone numbers led to an overlay plan and the introduction of the new 557 area code in the 314 area code region in August of last year.”

NANPA has indicated to the Public Service Commission that telephone numbering in the 816 area code is again nearing exhaustion. NANPA projects the 816 area code will exhaust in the second quarter of 2024.

August 8, 2023 is the earliest date companies can request telephone numbers with the 975 area code and October 13, 2023 is the earliest date the 975 area code will be activated. Both of those dates could be pushed back depending on when telephone numbers actually exhaust in the 816 area code.

The 975 area code will co-exist everywhere in this region with the 816 area code. All local calls within this region must be dialed using ten digits rather than seven digits. The 816 area code, along with many other area codes throughout the country, were required to eliminate seven digit local dialing in July of 2022 in order to accommodate the new 988 abbreviated dialing code for the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline.

Telephone customers should know the following key facts about the 975 area code overlay:

Customers should identify their telephone number as a 10-digit number (3-digit area code + 7-digit telephone number), and include the area code when giving the number to others.

Customers should ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 975 area code as a valid area code and should continue to store or program telephone numbers as 10-digit numbers. Some examples include: stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless or cordless phones, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, medical alert devices, and safety alarm security systems and gates. Customers should also ensure their websites, personal and business stationery and printed checks, advertising materials, contact information, and personal or pet ID tags include the area code.

For more information, please contact your local telephone service provider or visit the Missouri Public Service Commission website at:
https://psc.mo.gov/Telecommunications/Telephone_NumbersLocal_Dialing

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