HOUSTON – A new area code approved in 2023 for the Houston area will start adding numbers on January 23.
According to AT&T, the new 621 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the 281/346/713/832 area codes. The current area codes serve the greater Houston metropolitan area and surrounding suburban cities such as Baytown, League City, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Sugar Land, The Woodlands and many other smaller communities.
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The Greater Houston area has four area codes -- the first one being 713, which was created in 1947. Then in 1996, the area code 281 was added to split the region in half, mostly applied to suburbs.
After rapid growth, the 832 area code was added, creating an overlay for the combined Houston area and allowing residents to dial 10 digits.
In 2013, the 346 area code was added.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) approved the adoption of the new area code back in 2023. The move was made to accommodate continued population growth in the area as it is expected to run out of new phone numbers by 2025. The PUCT said the 621 area code is expected to meet numbering needs for the next nine years.
How will you be affected?
Customers who have already been assigned a number in the 281/346/713/832 area codes will keep their same phone number.
However, those who request new service or an additional line may be assigned a number with the new 621 area code.
Customers receiving the 621 area code will be required to dial 10 digits for all local calls, just as customers with telephone numbers from the 281/346/713/832 area codes do.
Mobile phone customers receiving 621 numbers may dial either 10 digits or 1+10 digits.
The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the additional overlay, according to AT&T.