THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 30, 1996 TAG: 9606280220
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 30 lines
The demand for telephone numbers in Virginia is exploding due to population growth, business expansion and new technologies. Increased use of computer communications, cellular phones, fax machines, pagers and other technologies is rapidly draining the pool of available telephone numbers. The new area code provides the additional numbers needed to meet the growing demand.
Virginia's fourth area code will be ``757,'' effective Monday. Area code 703 ``split'' earlier this year, creating the 540 code.
Most residents will have little to do to prepare for the change except to begin dialing 757 when necessary. However, business customers have a checklist of changes to consider, including revising printed materials, changing advertising and notifying customers and associates of the new code. Business customers with private branch exchange (PBX) telephone systems must consult with their vendors to see if reprogramming or modifying their equipment is necessary.
Voice mail boxes, computer modems, burglar alarms, fire alarms and automatic dialers are types of communications equipment that may need reprogramming.
GTE's exchanges, changing from 804 to 757 area code, are as follows, with the first three digits of the telephone number given:
Boykins, 654; Chuckatuck, 255; Claremont, 866; Courtland, 653; Crittenden, 238; Dendron, 267; Franklin, 562 and 569; Holland, 657; Ivor, 859; Smithfield, 357 and 365; Surry, 294; Wakefield, 899; and Windsor, 242. by CNB