Where is Area Code 948?
Area code 948 is situated in eastern Virginia, providing service to the cities of Chesapeake, Newport News, Portsmouth, and Suffolk. As an overlay for area code 757, the 948 area code covers the exact same region, ensuring that residents and businesses in these vibrant communities have access to a sufficient supply of telephone numbers. The implementation of the overlay means that both new and existing customers may receive either area code for their phone numbers, maintaining continuity while supporting the area’s growth. Oversight and regulation of telephone services in this region fall under the authority of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, located at 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219.
What time zone is 948 area code in the USA?
The 948 area code region operates within the Eastern Time Zone (ET). This means it observes Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the fall and winter and switches to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) during daylight saving months. This alignment places Chesapeake, Newport News, Portsmouth, and Suffolk on the same time as major East Coast cities like New York and Washington, D.C. For information on time zones and daylight saving time, you can refer to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
History of the 948 Area Code
The 948 area code was introduced as an overlay to the established 757 area code due to a growing demand for phone numbers in the region. Area code 757 had served eastern Virginia since 1996, but with population growth and increasing demand for telecommunications services, a new code became necessary. Instead of splitting the region and requiring number changes, regulators opted for the overlay method, which allows both area codes to coexist. Existing phone numbers retained the 757 area code, while new numbers could receive 948. The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), in partnership with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, coordinated the rollout. Due to the overlay system, ten-digit dialing is now required for all local calls within this area.
How Many People Use the 948 Area Code?
Area codes 948 and 757 together serve a population of more than a million people throughout eastern Virginia’s metropolitan and suburban areas. While most established lines still use the 757 area code, new assignments increasingly feature the 948 code. This system ensures that businesses, residents, and new mobile users can all obtain distinct phone numbers as the region continues to grow.
Is the 948 Area Code Toll-Free?
The 948 area code is not a toll-free area code. It is a geographic area code, so calls placed to 948 numbers are billed as local or long-distance, depending on your service provider and call location. Toll-free area codes in the United States start with 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833. For more details on calling costs or toll-free regulations, you can visit the FCC website or the head office at 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554.