Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Question Regarding Area Codes.

Mar 16, 2005 7:03AM PST

I ordered a Cingular phone. I just received an email with a phone number and the area code for the number is 217. Where I live the area code is 309. Have you ever heard of a cellular provider giving you a different area code then where you live??

Thanks

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Question Regarding Area Codes.
Mar 16, 2005 10:08AM PST

Are you in a part of 309 that has Cingular Wireless service? If so, did you sign up for service at a dealer in the 217 area code? The dealer may have signed you up for 217 instead of 309. I don't know how assigning phone numbers for a specific area code work when going through a dealer. Maybe it's determined by where you signed up for service at.

- Collapse -
area code
Mar 16, 2005 11:29AM PST

Another thought...In some areas, there are multiple area codes for the same calling area. An example would be Miami, FL, Atlanta, GA or Los Angelos, CA. I don't know where you are.

- Collapse -
Area code issue
Mar 18, 2005 3:18AM PST

Area Code Break down:
309 - W Cent. Illinois: Peoria
217 - Cent. Illinois: Springfield

It indeed does happen. There are several areas in major cities that the area code has to be changed to meet the demand of phone numbers.

At one point when working in the NY area nextel ran out fo phone numbers and had to provide people with upstate NY numbers and then connecticut numbers after that. They were willing to replace the numbers as they became available.

I would suspect that your problem is either a similar situation or a clerical error. Call up Cingular and ask, also ask about a $36 service charge for changing your number if they change it. They should if it was an error credit it back to you, but make sure to mention this.

- Collapse -
area code
Mar 18, 2005 9:35AM PST

If you were mistakingly assigned a wrong phone # (ie a non-local phone #), Cingular will waive the mobile # change charge. Make sure you make that clear if you call in.