The 442 area code is coming to North (San Diego) County. Will it be an overlay or split?

If you live in North County and want to keep your current phone number with the 760 area code, then e-mail the PUC urging adoption of the overlay. The Chambers of Commerce of Carlsbad, Encinitas, Escondido, San Marcos, Oceanside and Vista favor the overlay as well. They requested modification of the PUC's earlier decision favoring a split.

An overlay means all current 760 area code customers keep 760 and new phone numbers are assigned area code 442.

A split means the current 760 area code is split into 442 and 760. North County customers would be assigned to the new 442 area code.

After a well-attended Carlsbad public participation hearing overwhelmingly favoring the overlay, PUC Administrative Law Judge Maribeth Bushey wrote in her September 16 proposed decision, "We have considered the volume and substance of these comments and have determined that we should ... adopt a geographic overlay. This will allow all customers to retain their existing telephone numbers, which we understand to be the highest priority for customers."

The PUC is expected to issue a final decision on October 16.  For more information on this issue, use the excellent web site set up by activist Scott Chatfield who has done yeoman's work in not letting the initial overlay option die. (http://keep760.org/)

 Just a quick e-mail to the PUC at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov helps make sure the PUC implements the overlay.

Related sites, articles and blogs

Area Code protests result in tentative victory

Keep760.org

PUC - 760 Area Code site