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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Kevin Murphy |
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PUC will hold March 11 public hearing in Scranton on 570 area code proposals
HARRISBURG, March 5 – State Rep. Kevin Murphy, D-Lackawanna, said today that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will hold a public hearing March 11 in Scranton to allow residents to comment on a proposal to ensure adequate telephone numbers in the 570 area code.
"Because of the proliferation of cell phones and other devices requiring phone numbers, the 570 area code is expected to run out of numbers by the second half of 2011," Murphy said. "The organization that is responsible for solving this problem has petitioned the PUC to use what is called an 'overlay' plan to add more numbers."
Murphy said under an overlay plan, once existing phone numbers are exhausted, new telephone customers in the region would be assigned numbers under a new area code – one other than 570.
"Unfortunately, an overlay plan would require all customers in the region to use 10-digit dialing for all local calls," he said. "Because the overlay solution has been disruptive for customers in other areas where it has been implemented, the PUC has been holding public hearings so consumers can comment on the plan, as well as other options."
One alternative, Murphy said, is "splitting" the 570 area code. Under that plan, about half of current customers would receive a new area code.
The March 11 hearing was originally scheduled for Feb. 5, but was postponed due to weather.
The hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 11 in Room 318 of the Scranton State Office Building, 100 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton.
Murphy said residents may speak at the March 11 hearing and have their testimony entered as part of the official record. Residents also can offer written testimony to be entered as part of the record. Residents who want to speak should arrive early and sign up to testify when they arrive. Tips for speaking at a PUC public hearing or submitting written testimony are available at the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate Web site, www.oca.state.pa.us. Once there, click on the "Consumer Corner" tab at the top of the page, then on the "Consumer Tips" link.
Residents can find specifics on the proposed 570 overlay plan, as well as existing comments and other documents related to it, at the PUC Web site, www.PUC.state.pa.us. Click the "Search Public Documents " tab at the left and search for Docket Number P-2009-2117193.
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