SAN DIEGO -- The 619 area code in San Diego is running out of available phone numbers, so the California Public Utilities Commission has a plan and wants to hear from the public, according to officials.
The CPUC will hold public meetings to provide information and get input on the introduction of new area codes to the regions now served by the 916, 805, and 619 area codes. The 916 area code serves the Sacramento area, while the 805 area code covers San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Oxnard.
The CPUC has started the process to add the 858 area code to the areas now served by the 619 area code, as the 619 area code is expected to use up its available prefixes by March 2019.
Adding the 858 area code to the areas served by the 619 area code is known as a boundary elimination overlay, which will provide additional prefixes and new telephone numbers for the 619 area code customers, according to Terrie Prosper, CPUC spokeswoman.
The boundary elimination overlay, pending CPUC approval, would allow all customers to keep their current phone numbers, including their area code. To avoid service disruption, the 858 area code would be added to the areas served by the 619 area code by September 2018, six months before depletion of prefixes.
In September 2018, 619 area code customers requesting new phone numbers would be assigned the 858 area code.
The area served by the 619 area code includes the southern portion of the city of San Diego, and the cities of Chula Vista, Coronado, El Cajon, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Santee, and some unincorporated areas of San Diego County.
The public meetings are scheduled for Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Mission Valley State Building, 7575 Metropolitan Dr. and at 6 p.m. at the La Colonia Community Center, 715 Valley Ave. in Solana Beach. A third meeting is scheduled for Oct. 5 at 11 a.m. at the Pine Valley Improvement Club, 28890 Old Highway 80 in Pine Valley.
