The Overlay Method
The Overlay Method is another way of making additional phone numbers available.
It places a new area code "on top of" an existing one. Both area codes serve the
same location. New phone numbers get the new area code. Existing numbers do not
have to change.
In areas where an overlay has been implemented ,10 digit dialing must be used (1+10
digit dialing in New York City and Los Angeles Area Code 310, 424, 442, 657, 714, 747, 760,
and 818), but there is no change in the way calls for 911 emergency service or 411
directory assistance are placed. What was a local call will remain a local call
regardless of the number of digits dialed.
The Split Method
With the split method, the geographic area is split into two or more areas to provide
more prefixes for the telecommunications industry and its customers, thus creating
smaller geographic areas. Area code splits create new area codes by splitting a
geographical region into new, smaller regions. With splits, one region keeps the
same area code while the customers in other region must change their numbers to
a new area code.
With the split method of introducing a new area code, a given location will only
have one area code and 7 digit dialing within the area code continues.
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