New Area Code Coming for Phone Numbers

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is introducing a new area code this fall, as the region is expected to run out of phone numbers soon.

Starting Oct. 16, area code 742 will be added to the region served by codes 289, 365 and 905, which includes Halton, Peel, York and Durham, as well as the Niagara Peninsula, Hamilton and parts of Northumberland County. These codes also overlay with some parts of Toronto proper in the east.

After this date, consumers and businesses requesting a new phone number will be assigned one with the new area code once there is no longer a sufficient supply of numbers with the existing codes.

The 742 area code is intended to meet the continuously growing demand for new telephone numbers, says the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Its introduction is expected to create millions of additional telephone numbers without affecting existing ones, the geographic boundaries for local calling areas or the way long distance calls are dialed.

Toronto proper anticipates it will max out on phone numbers by 2025, so it has already reserved the 387 area code for future use. The city is currently served by codes 416, 647 and 437, the latter introduced in 2013.