Say hello to 327; new area code coming next year

This part of the state is running out of phone number options, so beginning next year, there will be a new area code.

According to the Arkansas Public Service Commission, 327 has been approved as a new area code for the geographic region of Arkansas served by the 870 area code — which is projected to exhaust its numbering supply during the first quarter of 2025.

All existing 870 area code customers will retain their current area code, and their telephone numbers will not be changed. However, the commission says adding the new area code will require 10-digit dialing for all 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 local calls will continue to be local even though there are 10 digits.

Beginning Jan. 19, 2024, the area code and telephone number must be dialed on all calls, including calls within the same area code.

On Feb. 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 Arkansas’s northern, eastern, and southern portions. The 870 area code serves communities including, but not limited to EI Dorado, Mountain Home, Jonesboro, Pine Bluff, Monticello, and Magnolia.

The new 327 area code will serve the area currently served by the existing 870 area code. The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), who serves as the federal designee, assigned 327 as the number for the overlay plan approved by the commission.

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.