NEW AREA CODE

Progress is being made on establishing a new area code for Northwest Florida. The Florida Public Service Commission says the current 850 area code, which covers 18 counties, will run out of numbers in 2021. The North American Numbering Plan Administrator, which oversees telephone numbering across the U.S. and other countries, says people in Northwest Florida who have phones with the 850 area code will be able to keep their numbers, but new phones will be assigned to the new 448 area code and all local calls in the region will require 10-digit dialing. The new area code is expected to begin in mid-2021.