Area Code 406: Comprehensive Guide to Montana's Sole Area Code
Area code 406 uniquely serves the entire state of Montana, established in 1947 under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).
Overview of Area Code 406
Area code 406 is the only area code for Montana, covering both urban and rural regions. It was implemented in 1947 and remains a critical part of the state's telecommunications.
Geographic Coverage
- State: Montana
- Type: Single area code covering the entire state
Major Cities Served
- Billings: Latitude 45.78329, Longitude -108.50069
- Bozeman: Latitude 45.67965, Longitude -111.03856
- Butte: Latitude 46.00382, Longitude -112.53474
- Great Falls: Latitude 47.50024, Longitude -111.30081
- Helena: Latitude 46.59271, Longitude -112.03611
- Missoula: Latitude 46.87215, Longitude -113.994
Numbering and Usage Statistics
- Total Numbers Available: Approximately 1.7 million lines as of 2013
- Utilization: Managed through number pooling
- Exhaust Projection: Adequate numbers until 2031
Telecommunications Infrastructure
Major Carriers
- AT&T
- Verizon
- T-Mobile
- CenturyLink
- Local Providers: Hot Springs Telephone Company, Northern Telephone Cooperative
Available Services
- Landline
- Wireless
- VoIP
Regulatory Information
- Regulatory Body: Montana Public Service Commission (PSC)
- Dialing Requirements: Transitioned to ten-digit dialing by October 24, 2021, due to the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- NANPA Regulations: Number pooling implemented for resource optimization
Historical Milestones
- 1947: Establishment of area code 406
- 2013: 1.7 million lines served
- 2021: Transition to ten-digit dialing
Conclusion
Area code 406 is integral to Montana's communication network, supporting a variety of services and adhering to regulatory standards. The implementation of number pooling and ten-digit dialing ensures efficient resource use and compliance with national guidelines.
For further details, visit the official Montana Public Service Commission website.