Running out of numbers: Hagerstown, Washington County to get new 227 area code

Dave McMillion, The Herald-Mail
·3 min read

A sign of growth in phone systems across Maryland was illustrated Wednesday when state officials announced a new area code is set to go into effect in Washington County and other regions across the state.

The new code — 227 — will be assigned to new numbers once all 240 and 301 numbers are exhausted, which is expected to occur next year.

The change came as the Maryland Public Service Commission voted Aug. 3 to approve a petition filed by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), which is the neutral third-party entity that allocates telephone numbering resources.

Why is the new area code needed?

The remaining supply of available telephone numbers in the 240 and 301 area codes is estimated to be exhausted in the second quarter of 2023, requiring the establishment of a new area code to support future communication demands in the region, according to the PSC, which regulates phone companies, electric and gas utilities and other areas.

The 240 and 301 calling area serves residents and businesses in Allegany, Charles, Garrett, Montgomery, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s and Washington counties. Other impacted counties are Frederick, Howard, Carroll, and Anne Arundel.

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PSC spokeswoman Tori Leonard said Wednesday in a phone interview that it's too early to say exactly when new phone numbers in Washington County will get the 227 area code. She said the PSC might have a better idea of that early next year.

Customers with a 240 or 301 area code will maintain their existing area codes and their phone numbers will not change, the PSC said in a news release.

How will the way I dial numbers change ?

Because the 240 and 301 region is already served by two overlay area codes, callers are already required to use 10-digit dialing when making calls. Callers in this area have been using 10-digit dialing for more than 20 years, since the 240 area code was introduced in 1997, according to the release.

Because 10-digit dialing is already well established, the adding 227 area code to the mix isn't expected to cause any issues for residents, aside from using the new area code when necessary.

The following ways of dialing will also remain unchanged:

  • For local calls to and from other numbers inside the 240, 301 and 227 area codes: dial 10 digits.

  • For toll calls from the 240, 301 and 227 area to numbers in another area code: dial one, plus 10 digits.

  • For operator services (credit card, collect, third party): dial zero, plus 10 digits.

Tips to prepare for the new 227 area code

  • Check devices to verify that area codes are included with all stored numbers.

  • Continue to program, save and store phone numbers to all devices using the a full 10-digit telephone number.

  • Verify that all services and equipment — such as automatic dialers, life-safety and medical alert systems, alarm and security systems, security gates, call-forwarding settings and voicemail services recognize the new area code as a valid phone number.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Telephone area code to change in MD counties including Washington