Motion by Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky

October 5, 1999

MOTION BY SUPERVISOR ZEV YAROSLAVSKY

Last Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 29 and 30, the North American Numbering Plan Administration held public meetings to discuss plans for the introduction of a new area code in the current 323 area, gathering information which will eventually be forwarded to the state Public Utilities Commission, which has final authority over state area code decisions.

In two days, on Thursday, October 7, the Commission itself will meet again to consider proposing an overlay or split for the 818 area.

This Board has consistently opposed the proliferation of new area codes in the existing 310 and 818 areas, either by introducing overlay codes or by splitting existing areas, and there are equally good reasons to oppose the introduction of any new codes in the 323 area.

The Commission has reportedly acknowledged that while 180 million numbers have been assigned to phone companies statewide, only 35 million are in active use. Recognizing this, and responding to a political outcry from the public, from legislators, and even from Gov. Gray Davis, the Commission voted on September 16 to rescind its order implementing 11-digit dialing in the 310 area and to delay any introduction of an overlay.

At the same time, state legislation has been enacted to slow down the introduction of new area codes by calling for studies and conservation measures first. Responding to public concerns, the Federal Communications Commission has since changed its own regulations to permit state utilities agencies to assign new phone numbers in smaller blocks of 1,000, rather than the longstanding blocks of 10,000. This should also reduce the exhaustion rate of new numbers and extend the life of existing area codes.

In light of these developments, it is time once again for the Board to reaffirm its opposition to the introduction of any new area codes, by any scheme, until these new conservation and efficiency measures are given an opportunity to work.

I, THEREFORE, MOVE THAT the Board of Supervisors direct County Counsel to communicate to the state Public Utilities Commission, in the most appropriate manner, the Board’s continuing opposition to the introduction of any new area codes until such time as a comprehensive analysis of the area code situation can be undertaken throughout the entire state.