Growth putting squeeze on 509

OLYMPIA – The 509 area code, after years of serving as a sort of cultural touchstone unifying Eastern Washingtonians, is becoming a victim of the region’s growth.

Trying to forestall the inevitable, state utilities regulators in Olympia on Wednesday ordered Eastern Washington phone companies to “recycle and conserve” phone numbers that begin with 509.

That’s been the area code for all of Eastern Washington since 1957, according to the state Utilities and Transportation Commission. And since people have a lot more phones than they used to, the state’s running out of those phone numbers.

Without changes, the commission warned, the state will have to create a new area code in Eastern Washington within five years.

“Every time a new area code is added or changed, there are disruptions and potential costs to businesses and citizens,” said UTC chairman Mark Sidran. The plan approved by the commission, he said, puts that off as long as possible.

How long is that? The commission staff estimates that 509 should now last until at least 2011.

One major change: New phone numbers will be assigned in blocks of 1,000, instead of 10,000. That way, unneeded numbers aren’t needlessly put off-limits to other companies.

The agency launched a similar strategy for the widely used 360 area code in Western Washington in January.