The 411 on Manitoba's upcoming 3rd area code

The 204 represents ashared collective identity in Manitobaas much as it isanarea code. The 584 may never hold the same cache, but it too will become a provincial symbolonceit likely becomes Manitoba's third and newest area code.

The supply of available Manitoba phone numbers, using the 204 or 431 area code,will be largely depleted by June 2024, a recent estimatesuggests.

"Slowly but surely, all of these numbers are being used up," said Kelly Walsh, program manager at the Canadian Numbering Administrator, the corporation assigning telecommunication brandswith phone numbers.

By then, the various providers will need a new batch of phone numbers to give out. The numbers will havethe 584 area code, barring somecomplication once the reliefplanningcommitteeannounced last monthstarts meeting, Walsh said.

Hanging up on the 204, 431

He explained phone numbers beginning with204 and 431 will still become availablewhen people disconnecttheirnumbers or move away, but "certainly the bulk of any requests would be under that" 584 area code. No existing customers will be required to change their numbers, he said.

The CNAis the neutral third partyassigning area codes, as well asCO codes the three-digit prefix followingan area code in a phone number.

Within the roughly 800 CO codesin an area code, there are approximately 10,000 number combinations. Some numbers are off-limits, such as CO codes beginning with the number zero.

Walsh said theproliferation of cell phones has drainedthe stock of phone numbers, but not entirely.He saidtechnologies such as the internet of things and parking meters consume available numbers, as dothe arrival of new phone providers. For example, Xplornet became Manitoba's fourth wireless carrier in 2018.

"The more competitive carriers that are in one area, that would certainly drive [phone number] exhaust as well," he said.

Last month, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission announcedit would strikea relief planningcommittee, chaired by theCNA and comprised of phone providers, to considernext steps for Manitoba's phone number supply. Members of the public can take part.

In 2017, the CRTC proposed the 584 area code be reserved forManitoba. Theyestimated the provincewould run out ofphonenumbers by 2027.

Manitoba started using204 area code in 1947 and the 431 number along with mandatory10-digit diallingfor local calls in 2012.

Original area codes can possess a cultural significance in some circles, with the 204 number plastered on shirts, and formingthe name of a local pizza jointand vodka brand.

Walshrecognizes people's attachment with historical area codes, but he explainsthe number arrangement is immaterial now thatrotary phones are relics of the past and mobile devices are the rage.

"Once upon a time, I probably thoughtit meant a little something to me, but it's really just an address," he said.

"There's an exhaustive resource and we just need to add more to the pool. Unfortunately based on our numbering system, you can't add more to the same area code, sosomething has to give."