Area Code 205: Comprehensive Guide to Alabama's Key Telephone Code
Area code 205 is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) serving the western and central parts of Alabama, including major cities such as Birmingham and Tuscaloosa.
Technical Specifications of Area Code 205
- NPA Code: 205
- Type: Overlay (with area code 659)
- Implementation Date: 1947
- State: Alabama
Geographic Coverage
- Coordinates: 33°34′N 87°18′W
- Area Served: Western and central Alabama
Major Cities in Area Code 205
- Alabaster: 33.24428, -86.81638
- Bessemer: 33.40178, -86.95444
- Birmingham: 33.52066, -86.80249
- Center Point: 33.64566, -86.6836
- Homewood: 33.47177, -86.80082
- Hoover: 33.40539, -86.81138
- Mountain Brook: 33.50094, -86.75221
- Tuscaloosa: 33.20984, -87.56917
- Vestavia Hills: 33.44872, -86.78777
Numbering and Utilization Statistics
- Total Numbers Available: Data not provided
- Utilization Rate: Data not provided
- Exhaust Projection: Data not provided
Network Infrastructure and Services
Major Carriers
[List of major carriers with market share percentages]
Available Services
- Landline
- Wireless
- VoIP
Regulatory Framework and Compliance
- Regulatory Body: North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA)
- Dialing Requirements: Ten-digit dialing mandated due to overlay with area code 659
- NANPA Regulations: Compliance with NANPA's numbering plan and overlay regulations
Historical Evolution of Area Code 205
- 1947: Area code 205 created as one of the original North American area codes, covering the entire state of Alabama.
- 1995: Area code 334 created, reducing the geographic extent of 205.
- 1998: Area code 256 created, further reducing the area covered by 205.
- 2019: Area code 659 added as an overlay, introducing mandatory ten-digit dialing.
Conclusion
Area code 205 is a significant telephone area code within the NANP, serving key regions in Alabama. Its historical evolution, including the introduction of overlays and mandatory ten-digit dialing, reflects the dynamic nature of telecommunications infrastructure in response to growing demand and technological advancements.
For more detailed information on area code regulations, visit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website.