918 Area Code Exhaustion

In recent years, the Tulsa metropolitan area has experienced progressive economic growth and development resulting in an increasingly large sector of the population becoming centralized around this region. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission successfully implemented it’s “number conservation plan,” adding approximately 10 years to the utilization of the 918 area code, but it is of course inevitable that one day the number of available telephone numbers will become exhausted. And unfortunately, that day is approaching relatively soon; at the end of 2011 new telephone numbers involving the 918 area code will no longer be attainable.

There are two possible approaches that can be taken in the solving of this problem; in a manner known as an area code “split,” the current geographic area served by the 918 area code would be divided into two distinct parts, one region keeping the 918 area code and the other receiving a new area code. If the split is employed, the traditional “7-digit” method of local dialing would be retained within each code, and everyone’s seven digit number would remain the same. The exact details are presently unknown; we know neither who would be getting the new code nor what it would be. The other possible solution would be conducted in a manner known as an area code “overlay.’ In an overlay the individuals who currently have the 918 area code would keep it and any new customers would be given the new code. The overlay would, however, force the entire region to assume a new “10-digit” dialing method, even to complete local calls, which might prove cumbersome and confusing.

After looking at the distinct strengths and weaknesses of each solution, and focusing upon which approach would be the least disruptive to the general populace, the City of Owasso has decided to support the approval of a two-way geographic split. Multiple factors played into the forming of such a recommendation, and once the specifics of the situation were studied, it became apparent that a split was the most intelligent and practical approach for not only the City of Owasso, but for the entire region in general. In an attempt to minimize customer confusion, the split retains the conventional method of local calls, by using seven digits only. In the event of an overlay, every single caller would have to adopt a new method of dialing, 10 digits, even if it was to someone across the street. Historically, the split is the only method that has been utilized in Oklahoma. Recently, Oklahoma City and the 405 area code encountered the same problem and a split was smoothly and successfully implemented.

Moving away from a quantitative focus and instead examining the effects of the change on the daily lives of citizens, the overlay would have a damaging impact on the sense of geographic and communal identity an area code provides. It would seem counterintuitive for two neighboring families to have different area codes, and confusing to have to dial an entire new area code plus the number if you are simply trying to reach someone across the street. An area code is one of the most basic of geographic indicators. Presently, if someone sees the 918 included in a phone number of a residence or business it automatically tells them their general location. That sense of geographic community would be lost were an overlay to occur. The overlay is a perfectly fine solution for huge metropolitan cities, where it is not as important to foster a sense of community and togetherness. Recent overlays that have occurred have been in Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, and Orlando. But in a more rural setting, the split just simply makes more sense. It is the method that will prove to be the least confusing, the least disruptive, and provide the easiest transition. An area code split would follow the precedence already set and in general be the most appropriate and fitting.