TO: EDITORS, NEWS DIRECTORS

DATE: February 13, 2001

FOR: IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Southern Arizona to Keep 520 Area Code

PHOENIX - Chairman Bill Mundell, Commissioner Jim Irvin and Commissioner Marc Spitzer voted unanimously to split the 520 area code territory. The Arizona Corporation Commission's action today preserves the 520 area code in Tucson and parts of southern Arizona. Pinal, Pima, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties will retain the 520 area code, with the exception of a few small areas where rate centers cross county lines. The rest of Arizona, including Yuma county, will be assigned a new area code. The Commission does not get to pick the actual area code. The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) will assign a code soon.

Arizona residents will be able to use the new area code in June. Between now and June, the telecommunications industry will be setting up their systems to recognize the new area code. Calls will go through using either area code between June 23, 2001 and January 5, 2002. This is called a "permissive dialing period." Callers who use the old area code after January 5, 2002 will hear a message directing them to hang up and dial again using the new number. The Commission's Order requires the telecommunications industry to implement a comprehensive education program to inform the public of the upcoming change.

Competition in telecommunications and the rapid proliferation of cellular phones, pagers, fax machines and enhanced Internet services are just a few of the reasons that supply of available numbers is dwindling. As the supply of available numbers shrinks, new area codes must be introduced to meet the demand.

For more information about the 520 area code matter, check the Commission's website at www.cc.state.az.us.