Beginning this weekend, BC will have its sixth area code.
The new code, “257,” will be added to British Columbia’s roster of area codes, 236,250,604,672 and 778.
According to the Telecommunications Alliance, who oversee Canada’s area codes, the introduction of this new code is in response to the increasing demand for phone numbers.
By adding a sixth area code, the Telecommunications Alliance is able to ensure residents and businesses have enough numbers to meet demand well into the future.
Beginning on Saturday, May 24th, the 257 area code will be introduced gradually.
After this Saturday, those requesting a new phone number may receive one with the new area code 257, or a remaining phone number that has not been claimed using an older area code.
Once the supply is exhausted on existing area codes, 257 will become the new default for BC.
The original area code for BC when the first continental telephone numbering plan was established in 1947 was 604.
The 250 area code is the most prominent of the BC area codes on Vancouver Island because it was initially created in 1997, specifically for Vancouver Island and some parts of the lower mainland.
Meanwhile, the 778 area code, introduced in 2001 is also very prominent as it was created for the Vancouver area.
Area code 236 came into play in 2013 when the previously established three codes were getting close to exhaustion, and then in 2019, the area code 672 was also established for the province of BC.
With six area codes now, BC has the third most in Canada, just behind Quebec with 12 and Ontario with 18.
