New area code coming to Hope-Prescott region

LITTLE ROCK – The geographic region currently served by the 870 area code, which includes Hempstead and Nevada Counties, is projected to exhaust its numbering supply during the first quarter of 2025. To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the Arkansas Public Service Commission has approved 327 as a new area code for this region. All existing 870 area code customers will retain their current area code in the overlay area and their telephone numbers will not change, however the addition of the new area code will require 10-digit calling for all local calls.

The new dialing procedure, for the Commission approved overlay plan, will require 10-digit  dialing for local calls. A six-month permissive dialing period will begin July 21, 2023. During  this period, local calls can be made with either 7 or 10 digits, and all calls that are local will  continue to be local even though you dial 10 digits.

Beginning January 19, 2024, you must dial  the area code plus the telephone number on all calls, including calls within the same area code.  On February 20, 2024, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the new  327 area code. The 501 area code region has already transitioned to 10-digit dialing.

The 870 area code covers the northern, eastern, and southern portions of Arkansas. The new 327 area code will serve the same areas (and all areas served by the 870 area code). The North American Numbering Plan Administrator  (NANPA), who serves as the federal designee, assigned 327 as the number for the Commission  approved overlay plan.

The Arkansas Public Service Commission originally adopted an overlay plan for the 870 area code  in an order issued on December 11, 2009. However, on June 22, 2012, the Commission delayed  the implementation of the area code overlay relief plan due to the effectiveness of telephone  number conservation efforts.