New Area Code Coming to Parts of Alabama
By Dale Hines
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
June 30, 2025
MONTGOMERY, Ala. Parts of Alabama serviced by the current 334 area code, is about to see some changes with the addition of a new area code.
Anyone who currently uses a phone with a 334-area code, may be affected by these changes according to the North American Numbering Plan Administrator’s (NANPA) Numbering Resources Utilization Forecast.
The numbering resources for the 334-area code are scheduled to exhaust by the third quarter of 2026 and customers in this area should prepare for 10-digit dialing and the introduction of the new 483 area code.
Currently, the 334-area code covers a large portion of central and southeast Alabama.
Last year, the Alabama Public Service Commission approved a new area code and the 483 prefixes will be added as an overlay to the 334 regions. However, this will not affect existing 334 numbers.
“This is all for new services, and new connects when it comes to wireless or landline service,” said Anne Capps with Pine Belt Communications.
Dialing changes are also on the way.
Starting next year, all local calls made within the 334-area code must be placed using 10 digits. Anne Capps with Pine Belt Communications says they are already working to alert customers.
“After January the 23rd, any time that you just dial for a local call, just the 7 digits, your call will not be completed by any carrier provider throughout the state,” said Capps.
A six-month permissive dialing period will begin on July 23. Capps says they encourage customers to get into the habit now of typing the three-digit area code and the 7-digit phone number for all calls. Capps also points out that now is the time to go ahead and update or reprogram any automatic dialing equipment, applications, or software.
“Those would maybe be a fire or safety security system including medical devices, like the Med alert, things that you wear.
Beginning Feb. 23, 2026, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers using the new 483 area code. However, numbers in the new area code will only be available once resources in the 334-area code have been exhausted.
Capps said that the price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay. And you can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
