Area Code 206: Comprehensive Guide to Technical Specifications and Data
Area code 206 is a crucial telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) for Washington State, primarily covering Seattle and its closest suburbs.
Technical Specifications of Area Code 206
- NPA Code: 206
- Type: Single
- Implementation Date: 1947
- State: Washington
Geographic Coverage
Area code 206 encompasses Seattle and its innermost suburbs, including Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Mercer Island, Bainbridge Island, Vashon Island, and parts of metropolitan Seattle from Des Moines to Woodway.
Numbering Statistics
- Total Numbers Available: Approximately 7.8 million
- Utilization Rate: 75%
- Exhaust Projection: 2025
Network Infrastructure
Regulatory Framework
- Regulatory Body: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC)
- Dialing Requirements: Ten-digit dialing mandatory since 2017
- NANPA Regulations: Area code 564 overlay approved for 206, effective before 2025
Historical Milestones
- 1947: Area code 206 was one of the original North American area codes.
- 1957: Area code 509 was assigned to the eastern two-thirds of Washington.
- 1995: Area code 360 was created from the western part of 206.
- 1997: Area code 206 was split into 206, 253, and 425.
- 2023: WUTC approved the overlay of area code 564 for 206.
Conclusion
Area code 206 remains a vital telecommunications identifier for Seattle and its immediate suburbs. With its rich history and pivotal role in the region's telecommunications infrastructure, it continues to adapt to meet the increasing demand for phone numbers and services.