money 329: Meet the area code for new phones in the Hudson Valley. Here's what to know
Do you live in Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Sullivan, Ulster or Westchester? Is your area code 845?
Should you get a new phone line on March 24 or later, your area code won't be 845.
It will be 329.
The Public Service Commission announced March 17 that any new phone lines ‒ cell or landline ‒ in the 845 "overlay district" would have the newest area code starting Friday, March 24.
The plan was announced in 2022 but the switch is months earlier than anticipated. The 329 code was expected to be introduced this summer.
Who gets 329
This is only for new service, and therefore new phone numbers.
Your current numbers won't change.
The new area code will supplement the 845 code, which is running out.
When 845 was introduced in 2000, Hudson Valley counties outside Westchester were switched from 914. This time, though, it's just new numbers that get the new area code.
Westchesterites can still get a new phone line with 914; that area code is not projected to be exhausted for several more years.
Why the new area code?
According to the state Public Service Commission, the new area code is being enacted "as a result of a strong demand for telecommunication services in the Hudson Valley and Catskills regions due to economic growth."
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The added 329 area code is supposed to take care of phone number supply for 28 years.
How many digits to dial
Since July 2022, you've had to hit all 10 digits (the 845 area code plus 7-digit number) to make intra-area code calls. Now, you may need to add 329 in front of a person's 7-digit number to call instead when dialing a new line.
That's still considered a local call.
For calls outside the area, add the "1" before the 10-digit number.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline remains the same.
911 emergency line also remains three digits, as well as service lines like 211 and 811.
Nancy Cutler writes about People & Policy. Follow her on Twitter at @nancyrockland.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Area code changes for new phone lines in Hudson Valley now 329
