You probably won’t see the new area code come up on your phone until late 2023.

If you want to change your phone number in the near future, you might end up with a brand new area code. The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) has announced it will be adding “227” into the telephone numbering system to replace the shrinking availability of 240 and 301 area codes.

The PSC doesn’t expect new the area code to be assigned until after the third quarter of 2023. 

In certain areas of the country, people can be very picky when it comes to area codes. In an episode of Seinfeld, Elaine tries to steal an old lady's 212 area code phone number after she gets rejected by a man for having a 646 code. The biggest reason people want an original area code is to show how long they lived in the area.

When the North American Numbering Plan was established in 1947, the entire state of Maryland was given the 301 area code. A second area code wasn’t added until 1992 when 410 went into circulation.

In 1997, 240 was added, followed by 443 and 667 in the 2000s. The areas served by 240 and 301 include Allegany, Charles, Garrett, Montgomery, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, and Washington counties. There are people in Howard, Frederick, Carroll, and Anne Arundel counties that have phone numbers with these area codes. 

Users won’t have to make changes to the way they dial when 227 comes into circulation. The addition of a new area code is the perfect opportunity for business owners and individuals to get a vanity number. If you want to get a number that simple with lots of the same numbers like 227-222-2000, just call your phone provider and ask what numbers are available. You can also get a vanity number by using an online service like Google Voice.