Residents in Nassau County are getting a new area code starting this week. The New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) says that the new code, 363, will be phased into the 516 area code region for customers requesting a new mobile or landline service, a move or an additional line.
According to news reports, 516 has been in use as the only area code for Nassau County for more than 70 years. In 1999, Suffolk County residents got a new area code when it was massively changed to 631 causing concern and in some cases outrage. Even so, by 2014 Suffolk County was again running out of numbers and in 2016 a new area code was added: 934.
The DPS says that the addition of a new area code is a result of “a robust economy and strong demand for telecommunication services on Long Island.”
The 363 area code was approved for use in Nassau County in January 2022.
“The new 363-area code will be superimposed over the same geographical area as the existing 516-area code,” the DPS said in a statement.
The agency also said that current telephone numbers, including current area code, will not change and all calls within and between 516/363 must be dialed with 10 digits.
The DPS also said that numbers using the 363 area code will not be assigned “until remaining numbers in the 516-area code are exhausted.”
The rollout of new area codes will start as of January 20, 2023.