New York City is one of the biggest cities in the world, and its population is always in flux (typically rising). With over 8 million people living in its boroughs, New York has a tremendous number of phone numbers in use, and that number is only ever going to go up. New York City currently has five area codes: 212, 347, 718, 917, and 929. However, there is now a sixth on the way: area code 465.

The New York City 465 area code will serve the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Marble Hill areas of New York City. This area code will be available for residents, businesses, and wireless customers. The new area code is an overlay which will benefit new users without affecting currently existing customers. The new area code is expected to provide new phone numbers for new customers for the next 11 years, though that depends entirely on how quickly the numbers are taken.

How Technology Impacts Area Codes

As technology such as smartphones and tablets become more and more used and improved, the demand for phone numbers will rise across such devices. Smartphones and tablets will require area codes, as will other smart devices such as smart watches, security systems, and other gadgets. This increase in the number of devices requiring phone numbers will lead to an increase in the number of necessary area codes.

New Businesses Mean New Phone Numbers

We live in a unique time where more and more people are starting their own businesses, and with more businesses comes the need for more business phone numbers. Initially a person will need a separate phone number to keep their personal and professional lives separate. As businesses grow they may need more phone numbers to account for different departments and different personnel. Remote work and virtual offices have also led to an increase in the need for more phone numbers and the flexibility that comes with them.

Time Marches On

The introduction of New York Area Code 465 is only the latest example of how telecommunication systems will have to keep up with the growing population. As New York City becomes even more populated, technologically developed, and economically varied, the strain on its telecommunication systems, especially the supply of phone numbers, will intensify. It remains to be seen how new technological innovations will impact the telecommunication landscape, but that is a bridge that must be crossed when the time comes.