The New 738 Area Code is Coming to the California 213/323 Area Code Region
To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the California Public Utilities Commission has approved an additional all-services overlay for the 213/323 area code overlay region. The 213/323 area code overlay serves downtown Los Angeles, Alhambra, Bell, Bell Gardens, Beverly Hills, Commerce, Cudahy, Glendale, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Rosemead, South Gate, South Pasadena, Vernon, West Hollywood, and unincorporated portions of Los Angeles County. The new 738 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the 213 and 323 area codes.
What is an additional Area Code Overlay?
An additional overlay is the addition of another area code (738) to the same geographic region as an existing area code overlay (213/323). The overlay does not require you to change your existing area code or phone number, or how you dial your calls. You will continue to dial 1+10 digits (area code + phone number) for all local calls, as you do today, within and between the 213, 323 and 738 area codes. Mobile phone customers will continue to dial either 10 digits or 1+10 digits.
Who is affected and when does the new 738 area code become effective?
Beginning November 1, 2024, customers in the 213/323 area code overlay region may be assigned a number in the new 738 area code when they request new service or an additional line. Customers receiving the 738 area code will be required to dial 1+10 digits for all local calls, just as customers with telephone numbers from the 213 and 323 area codes do today. Mobile phone customers receiving 738 numbers may dial either 10 digits or 1+10 digits.
What will you need to do?
Customers in the overlay region should
- Continue to dial 1+10 digits for all local calls, including calls within the same area code.
- Continue to identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number, and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, customers, etc.
- Ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 738 area code as a valid area code and continue to store or program telephone numbers as 10-digit numbers. Some examples are: stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors and/or other similar equipment.
- Check items such as your website, personal and business stationery, printed checks, advertising materials, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.
What will remain the same?
- Your telephone number, including the current area code.
- The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the additional overlay.
- What is a local call now will remain a local call.
- You will continue to dial 1+10 digits for local calls within and between the overlay area codes, and 1+10 digits for long distance calls.
- You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 if those are currently available in your community.
Who may you contact with questions?
If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call Metro by