Calgary- How does 10-digit dialing make room for new numbers?

Question

Where I'm from in So. Cal, they had to add new area codes to make more numbers for the expanding population. When we call numbers in our own area code, we only have to dial 7 digits. The only time we have to include the 1-area code-number is when we call the new area code, even if it's down the street.

Here in Alberta, they are now using the same area code, but making us dial all 10 digits.

How does this make room for new numbers if they don't add a new area code?

Answer 1

They are adding a new area code.     The new area code is 587 and will be used for phone numbers all across Alberta.

Answer 2

It's pretty simple really.  Calgary's area code is 403.  Say your home phone # is 555-7890.  with a second area code, say 404, they can have two phone numbers of 555-7890.  Yours and somebody with an area code of 404.   They may not use it right away but it allows them room for expansion in the future.  When you consider that virtually everybody has a cell phone, businesses have multi-line phones and faxes, its not hard to see that they're running out of numbers with only one area code.  I live the 250 area code.  We just started having to use 10 digit dialing as well.  The last I heard, there will be new area codes brought in over the next several years so they're just getting ready now.

Answer 3

Now you can move to different provinces and keep the same number

Answer 4

Ontario has been like this for close to 10 years now.  There can be numberous different area codes in one city now, as there are too many phone numbers between home, cell and buisness