The California Public Utilities Commission announced in a press release in June the creation of the new 341 overlay area code to cover most of Alameda County and some parts of Western Contra Costa County which are currently serviced by the 510 area code.
“The CPUC acted to ensure that phone numbers continue to be available to meet the demand in the geographic region served by the 510 area code,” according to the CPUC website.
Those who currently have a 510 phone number will be able to keep their area code, but those who request new phone numbers in the area will receive the new 341 area code.
This transition has caused mixed reactions primarily because of the inconvenience this will cause as dialing the full ten digit number will be required when calling anyone with a 510 or a 341 area code number, regardless if your area code is the same.
The new area code became the talk of social media last week after cell phone carrier T-Mobile reminded their customers via text message with a link for more information attached.
“Area Code 341 will be added to area code 510 starting June 22, 2019,” the cell phone carrier said.
The introduction of the 341 area code is the Bay Area’s first new area code since 1998, when the 925 area code was introduced, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
925 branched out from the 510 area code, which ran on its own from 1991 to 1998. As more phone numbers were needed, 925 acted as an alternative to 510, and the new 341 area code will serve the same purpose.
Currently, the 510 area codes serves a large portion of the Bay Area, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Among the cities are Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Newark, Piedmont, Oakland, San Leandro and Union City. New phone numbers in these areas will receive 341 area codes once it is implemented in June.