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Area Code 272: Comprehensive Guide to Coverage, Cities, and Regulations
Area code 272 is an overlay in northeastern Pennsylvania, sharing territory with 570. It mandates 10-digit dialing per NANPA for landline, wireless, & VoIP. Covers Scranton (41.40916, -75.6649), Wilkes-Barre, & Williamsport. Learn about its implementation since March 2013 and regulatory compliance.
Area Code 272: Comprehensive Guide to Coverage, Cities, and Regulations
Introduction
Where is Area Code 272 located? Area Code 272 is an integral part of northeastern Pennsylvania's telecommunications landscape. It overlays the existing 570 area code and serves major cities including Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Williamsport. This guide provides detailed insights into its coverage, regulatory framework, and technical specifications.
Technical Specifications
- NPA Code: 272
- Type: Overlay
- Implementation Date: March 28, 2013
- State: Pennsylvania
Geographic Coverage
Area Code 272 covers a broad swath of northeastern Pennsylvania, ensuring seamless connectivity across various urban and rural areas.
Key Cities
- Scranton: Latitude 41.40916, Longitude -75.6649
- Wilkes-Barre: Latitude 41.24591, Longitude -75.88131
- Williamsport: Latitude 41.24119, Longitude -77.00108
- Hazleton: Latitude 40.95842, Longitude -75.97465
- Back Mountain: Latitude 41.33591, Longitude -75.99631
Numbering and Utilization
While detailed data on the total numbers available and utilization rates are not specified, the overlay ensures that there are sufficient numbers to meet the demand in the region.
Network Infrastructure
Major Carriers and Services
Area code 272 supports a variety of services, including:
- Landline
- Wireless
- VoIP
Major carriers provide these services, though specific market share data is not included.
Regulatory Framework
- Regulatory Authority: The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission oversees the implementation and regulation of area code 272.
- Dialing Requirements: Ten-digit dialing is mandatory to ensure proper call routing.
- NANPA Compliance: Area code 272 is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), adhering to its standards and regulations.
Historical Context
- 1947: Pennsylvania was initially divided into numbering plan areas, including area code 717.
- 1998: Area code 570 was created from a split of area code 717.
- 2013: Area code 272 was introduced as an overlay for area code 570, necessitating ten-digit dialing.
Conclusion
Area Code 272 is crucial for maintaining robust telecommunications in northeastern Pennsylvania. Since its introduction, it has supported essential communication needs in cities like Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. The implementation of ten-digit dialing facilitates efficient call handling and ensures compliance with NANPA standards.
For further details on area code regulations, visit the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and the North American Numbering Plan Administration.
Related Articles
Explore more about area codes and their impact on local communities by visiting our Area Code Resource Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What area code is Scranton, PA in?
Scranton, PA is in area code 570, which is overlaid by area code 272. Therefore, both area codes 570 and 272 are used in Scranton, PA.
When was area code 272 implemented in Pennsylvania?
Area code 272 was implemented in Pennsylvania on March 28, 2013, as an overlay to area code 570.
Why was area code 272 introduced in northeastern Pennsylvania?
Area code 272 was introduced to ensure a sufficient supply of telephone numbers in northeastern Pennsylvania, overlaying the existing 570 area code.
Is 10-digit dialing required for calls within area code 272?
Yes, 10-digit dialing (including the area code) is mandatory for all calls within area code 272 and area code 570.
What cities are covered by area code 272 in PA?
Area code 272 covers several cities in northeastern Pennsylvania, including Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, Hazleton, and Back Mountain. It serves as an overlay to the existing 570 area code, meaning both codes are used in the same geographic area.
What types of phone services are supported by area code 272?
Area code 272 supports various phone services, including landline, wireless, and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
Which regulatory body oversees area code 272 in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) oversees the implementation and regulation of area code 272.
What is the geographic coverage of area code 272?
Area code 272 covers a broad area of northeastern Pennsylvania, overlaying area code 570. This includes cities such as Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Williamsport.
What area code was split to create area code 570?
Area code 570 was created in 1998 from a split of area code 717.
What is the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), and how does it relate to area code 272?
The North American Numbering Plan (NANP) is a standardized numbering system used in North America for telephone calls. Area code 272 adheres to the NANP's standards and regulations.
Where can I find more information on area code regulations in Pennsylvania?
You can find more information on area code regulations in Pennsylvania on the websites of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA).
What is an overlay area code, and how does it work with the existing area code?
An overlay area code is an additional area code that is assigned to the same geographic region as an existing area code. In this case, 272 overlays 570, so both area codes serve the same area and 10-digit dialing is required for all calls.
What is the history of area codes in northeastern Pennsylvania?
Originally, northeastern Pennsylvania was part of area code 717. In 1998, area code 570 was created from 717. Due to increased demand, area code 272 was overlaid on 570 in 2013.
What is area code 272 for?
Area code 272 serves northeastern Pennsylvania, including cities like Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Williamsport. It's an overlay for the existing 570 area code, implemented to ensure enough phone numbers are available in the region.
Where is area code 272 located in PA?
Area code 272 covers northeastern Pennsylvania, overlaying the 570 area code. Major cities within its coverage area include Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, Hazleton, and the Back Mountain region.
When did area code 272 start being used?
Area code 272 was implemented on March 28, 2013, as an overlay to area code 570. This implementation required a shift to mandatory ten-digit dialing for the affected region.
Why was area code 272 created in Pennsylvania?
Area code 272 was introduced to address the increasing demand for phone numbers in northeastern Pennsylvania. As an overlay for the 570 area code, it provides additional numbering capacity without requiring existing users to change their numbers.
How do I dial a number in the 272 area code?
You must use ten-digit dialing for all calls within the 272 area code, including local calls. This means dialing both the area code and the seven-digit phone number to ensure proper call routing.
What area code was before 272 in PA?
Before area code 272, the primary area code for northeastern Pennsylvania was 570. Area code 570 was created in 1998 from a split of area code 717, which originally covered the entire state in 1947. Area code 272 now overlays 570.
What cities are covered by area code 272?
Area code 272 covers several cities in northeastern Pennsylvania, including Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, Hazleton, and Back Mountain. It overlays the existing 570 area code in these areas.
Who regulates area code 272?
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) oversees the implementation and regulation of area code 272. They ensure compliance with numbering regulations and handle any related issues.
Can I still use 7-digit dialing for 272 numbers?
No, seven-digit dialing is no longer possible for numbers within area code 272. Ten-digit dialing (including the area code) is mandatory to ensure calls are routed correctly.
What types of phone services use area code 272?
Area code 272 supports various phone services, including landlines, wireless phones, and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Major carriers offer these services within the 272 area code region.
What is the North American Numbering Plan (NANP)?
Area code 272 is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), a standardized numbering system used in 20 North American countries. This system ensures consistent dialing procedures and efficient call routing across the region. The NANP includes the United States, Canada, and various Caribbean countries.
How to contact the Pennsylvania Utility Commission about 272?
For more information or questions about area code 272, you can contact the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) through their website: https://www.puc.pa.gov/.