One month until northern Nevadans answer to knew area code

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1998 | 2:06 a.m.

The new area code for much of the state goes into effect Dec. 12.

Only Las Vegas and surrounding Clark County get to keep 702.

Actually, both area codes will work during a voluntary switch-over period running from the middle of next month through May 15. After that, those who can't completely disconnect from the old area code will be greeted for several months by a recording explaining the new code is in effect.

Why the switch?

"We've just run out of numbers," said Kathy Kollar, consumer education coordinator for the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada.

"The biggest issue is probably customer confusion," she told the Tahoe Daily Tribune. "Change, of course, is difficult. That's why we tried to give them a big opening of time."

The commission approved the change in February. It will mark the first time since area codes were first used in 1947 that Nevadans will have more than one.

California began with three. It is scheduled to have 23 in operation next year, adding five last year and another five by the end of this year.

A third area code may be necessary in the Las Vegas area if population growth continues at the current rate, Kollar said.

She said the 702 code likely would have to split in another five years, while the 775 code should last for at least 10 years.

There are about 5 million numbers in Nevada. That includes telephones, cellular phones, fax machines, pagers, modems and more. About 60 percent of those numbers are in Clark County.