Area Code 270: Comprehensive Guide to Kentucky's Telecom Infrastructure
Area code 270 is a key component of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), serving the western and south-central regions of Kentucky. Established in 1999 from a split of area code 502, it was later overlaid with area code 364 in 2014 to accommodate growing demand.
Technical Specifications
- NPA Code: 270
- Type: Overlay
- Implementation Date: February 1, 1999
- State: Kentucky
Geographic Coverage
Area code 270 encompasses the western and south-central counties of Kentucky, including major urban centers.
Major Cities in Area Code 270
- Bowling Green, KY (36.99032, -86.4436)
- Elizabethtown, KY (37.69395, -85.85913)
- Henderson, KY (37.83615, -87.59001)
- Hopkinsville, KY (36.86561, -87.49117)
- Owensboro, KY (37.77422, -87.11333)
- Paducah, KY (37.08339, -88.60005)
- Radcliff, KY (37.84035, -85.94913)
Numbering Statistics
- Total Numbers Available: Approximately 7.8 million
- Utilization Rate: 70%
- Exhaust Projection: First quarter of 2014 (prior to overlay implementation)
Network Infrastructure
Major Carriers
- AT&T: 35%
- Verizon: 30%
- T-Mobile: 20%
- Others: 15%
Types of Services
- Landline
- Wireless
- VoIP
Regulatory Framework
- Regulatory Body: Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC)
- Dialing Requirements: 10-digit dialing for local calls
- NANPA Regulations: Compliance with number pooling and conservation measures
Historical Milestones
- 1999: Area code 270 was created from a split of area code 502.
- 2007: Consideration for area code 364 as a relief plan began.
- 2014: Area code 364 was implemented as an overlay for area code 270.
Conclusion
Area code 270 plays a vital role in Kentucky's telecommunications framework, ensuring connectivity across its western and south-central regions. The introduction of area code 364 has successfully addressed the demand for new numbers.
For more detailed information, visit the official Wikipedia page on Area Code 270.