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Understanding Area Code 905: A Guide to Ontario’s Largest Area Code

Understanding Area Code 905: A Guide to Ontario's Largest Area Code

Contents

Area Code 905 is a North American telephone area code that serves the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding regions of Southern Ontario, Canada. It is the largest area code in Ontario in terms of geographical area, covering a total of 7,626 square kilometers. In this article, we will explore the history, location, and dialing procedures for Area Code 905, as well as take a look at some changes that may occur in the future.

What is Area Code 905?

Area Code 905 is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), which covers Southern Ontario. It was created in 1993 to relieve the rapidly growing demand for telephone numbers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and its surrounding regions. Area Code 905 covers a large geographic area, including the cities of Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, and Aurora.

Where is Area Code 905 located?

Area Code 905 covers a significant portion of Southern Ontario, Canada, including the Greater Toronto Area, the Niagara Peninsula, Hamilton, Halton Region, and Peel Region. It also includes parts of Durham Region, York Region, and Northumberland County. The area code serves a population of over 6 million people.

History of Area Code 905

Before the creation of Area Code 905, Southern Ontario was served by two area codes: Area Code 416 for Toronto and its immediate suburbs, and Area Code 519 for the rest of Southern Ontario. However, as demand for telephone numbers increased rapidly in the 1980s and 1990s, it became clear that a new area code was needed to serve the growing population of the Greater Toronto Area and its surrounding regions.

Area Code 905 was introduced in 1993 as an overlay of the existing 416 and 519 area codes, meaning that new phone numbers in the affected regions would be assigned an Area Code 905 prefix rather than a 416 or 519 prefix. This allowed existing phone numbers to remain unchanged, while new numbers could be assigned in the growing regions.

How to Dial a Phone Number with Area Code 905?

To dial a phone number with Area Code 905, you need to follow these simple steps:

  • Dial the international access code (011 in most countries)
  • Dial the country code for Canada (1)
  • Dial the area code (905)
  • Dial the seven-digit phone number

For example, if you want to call a number in Richmond Hill with the phone number 123-4567, you would dial 011-1-905-123-4567.

Changes and Future of Area Code 905

As demand for telephone numbers continues to increase in the Greater Toronto Area and its surrounding regions, it is possible that additional area codes may be introduced in the future. In fact, in 2013, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced that a new area code, 289, would be introduced as an overlay of Area Code 905. The new area code was necessary due to the rapid depletion of available phone numbers with Area Code 905.

In conclusion

Area Code 905 serves a large geographic area in Southern Ontario, including the Greater Toronto Area and its surrounding regions. It was introduced in 1993 to relieve the demand for telephone numbers in the region.

FAQ’S

Q: What is Area Code 905?

A: Area Code 905 is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) for the Canadian province of Ontario, covering the areas surrounding Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Q: What cities and towns are included in the 905 area code?

A: The 905 area code includes cities and towns such as Brampton, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and others in the Greater Toronto Area.

Q: When was the 905 area code established?

A: The 905 area code was first introduced on October 4, 1993, as an overlay to the existing 416 area code to accommodate the growing demand for telephone numbers in the GTA.

Q: What is the current status of the 905 area code?

A: The 905 area code is still in use today and is an important part of the telecommunications infrastructure in the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding regions.

Q: Are there any plans to change or split the 905 area code in the future?

A: There are no current plans to change or split the 905 area code at this time, but this may change in the future if the demand for phone numbers continues to grow.

Q: Can I dial a 905 area code number from outside Canada?

A: Yes, you can dial a 905 area code number from outside Canada by adding the international dialing code for Canada (1) and the area code (905) before the phone number.

Q: Can I keep my phone number if I move from one city to another within the 905 area code?

A: Yes, you can keep your phone number if you move from one city to another within the 905 area code, as long as you remain with the same phone service provider.

Q: How do I find out the location of a phone number with a 905 area code?

A: You can use online directories or search engines to look up the location of a phone number with a 905 area code. You can also contact your phone service provider for more information.

 

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