Is there a way to reserve the remaining 650 numbers for home and small business landlines? I don't mind putting new cell phones and business PBX numbers in a new area code.

@landlines

Please contact [Web Link

Proposed Changes to 408 Area Code:

Since the 408 area code is close to be exhausted, a new area code will be necessary in the region. The 408 area code is forecasted to require a new area code, confirmed to be area code 669, by the fourth quarter of 2012. Two relief options have been considered:

- A 408/669 overlay, which has been recommended, which would be the first overlay in northern California
- A 408/669 split, with either the western region (from downtown San Jose south and west) or the eastern region (an arc from Sunnyvale to Gilroy north and east of downtown San Jose) changing to 669

More information is found on the California Public Utilities Commission 408 Area Code page.

Isn't Mountain View in the 650 area code?

Does this affect Mountain View - I thought it was only for Sunnyvale.

Mountain View used to be part of the 415 area code which streached from Marin county all the way down the peninsula to Mountain View. Years ago most of the peninsula was switched over to the 650 area code which just left San Francisco and Marin County with the 415 area code.

Other countries use separate area codes for cell phone numbers. I think that's the better way to go. Less disruption to existing telephone numbers, and you can tell just by looking at it whether a phone number will ring a cell phone or a land line. Cell phone area codes are 4 digits, the rest are 3 digits or less.

Bay City News Service has issued a revised version of the story to clarify that the county Board of Supervisors voted on a recommendation, as the board does not have the authority to decide the matter. Here's the updated and corrected version:

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday recommended implementing a new area code via an overlay method, in which residents signing up for new service would be assigned a 669 area code but existing phone numbers would stay the same.

The board voted 4-1 in favor of the overlay option, with Supervisor Liz Kniss dissenting. Tuesday's vote came after the California Public Utilities Commission invited the Board of Supervisors to weigh in on which option it would prefer.

Santa Clara County Chief Operating Officer Gary Graves said the overlay is the method preferred by most affected parties over the other option, a geographic split.

The overlay option would not require any businesses or individuals in the county to change their existing number from the 408 area code.

A new area code is needed because of a diminishing supply of available numbers beginning with 408.

Supervisor Ken Yeager said the overlay method is the better of two bad options.

"The problem is, neither choice is good and it's going to cause disruption whichever way we go," Yeager said.

The CPUC has not yet taken action to implement either approach.

Residents can submit their preferences online at Web Link

So....this does not affect residents of Mountain View?