PSC Seeks Public Input On 631 Area Code Options

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Comments Sought on Options for 631 Area Code Relief in Suffolk County.

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Albany, NY - July 8, 2014 - The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) is seeking comment on options for area code relief in the 631 area code region. 
 
On May 14, 2014, The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) advised the Commission and Department of Public Service Staff (Staff) that the 631 area code, serving Suffolk County, is anticipated to run out of assignable telephone numbers. The most recent official NANPA forecasts indicates that the 631 Area Code could be out of assignable central office codes by the first quarter of 2016. Accordingly, the Commission instituted a proceeding in order to ensure that timely and effective relief for the 631 area code is in place prior to number exhaust. 
 
In areas where number exhaust has been anticipated, new area codes in a given geographic area are generally provided in either of two ways: (1) an overlay, or (2) through a geographic split of the existing area code. An overlay option means that one new code is used throughout the entire geographic area for all new telecommunications services, while existing phone numbers generally are not affected. On June 16, 2104, a Staff White Paper containing potential relief options was issued for public comment. 
 
Public Statement Hearings and Informational Forums 
The public will have an opportunity to present their comments regarding the overlay and geographic split options at four separate public statement hearings in Riverhead, Holbrook, Smithtown, and Huntington Station, in Suffolk County. These hearings will take place before an Administrative Law Judge assigned by the Commission to hear this case. A verbatim transcript of the hearings will be made and included in the record of the proceeding. An information session, at which staff of the Department of Public Service will describe the proposed options and respond to questions, will be held prior to each of the public statement hearings. 
 
The informational forums and public statement hearings will be held as follows: 
 
TUESDAY, JULY 15 
Riverhead County Center 
Maxine S. Postal Auditorium 
Evans K. Griffing Building 
300 Center Drive 
Riverhead, NY 11901 
1:00 pm: Informational Forum 
2:00 pm: Public Statement Hearing 
 
TUESDAY, JULY 15 
Sachem Public Library 
150 Holbrook Road 
Holbrook, NY 11741 
6:30 pm: Informational Forum 
7:30 pm: Public Statement Hearing 
 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16 
William H. Rogers Legislative Building 
Legislative Auditorium 
725 Veterans Memorial Highway 
Smithtown, NY 11787 
1:00 pm: Informational Forum 
2:00 pm: Public Statement Hearing 
 
 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16  
South Huntington Public Library 
Meeting Room 
145 Pidgeon Hill Road Huntington Station, NY 11746 
6:00 pm: Informational Forum 
7:00 pm: Public Statement Hearing
 
It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance or to present written material in order to speak at the public statement hearings. Speakers will be called after completing a card requesting time to speak. Disabled persons requiring special accommodations may place a collect call to the Department of Public Service’s Human Resources Management Office at (518) 474-2520 as soon as possible. TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711 to reach the Department of Public Service’s Human Resource Office at the previously mentioned number. 
 
Other Ways to Comment 
Internet or Mail: In addition to the formal hearings, comments may be sent electronically to the Secretary, at secretary@dps.ny.gov, or mailed or delivered to Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350. Your comments should refer to “Case 14-C-0182 - 631 Area Code Relief.” 
 
Toll-free Opinion Line: Comments may also be submitted through the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is designed to take comments about pending cases from in-state callers, 24 hours a day. Callers should press “1” to leave comments, mentioning the 631 Area Code proceeding. 
 
A full copy of the petition and Staff White Paper may be viewed, printed or downloaded from the Commission’s website at http://www.dps.ny.gov by searching for Case Number 14-C-0182. Comments are requested no later than July 31, 2014, but will be accepted throughout the pendency of this proceeding. Comments will become part of the record considered by the Commission. Written comments may be accessed on the Commission’s website by searching Case 14-C-0182 (at www.dps.ny.gov, enter Case Number 14-C-0182 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number") and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab. Many libraries offer free Internet access. 
 
The Commission’s decision in this case, when issued, may be obtained on the Commission’s website by searching for Case 14-C-0182 as described above. Commission orders may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press releas