Georgia will soon have a new area code

Residents in Georgia’s 912 area code region will soon see a second area code.

The North American Numbering Plan Administrator has informed the Georgia Public Service Commission that once new phone numbers for the 912 area code have been exhausted, some new users will be assigned a 565 area code. The 912 area code will remain in use, and anyone currently using the 912 area code will not see changes to their phone numbers or area codes.

Industry officials have determined that the 912 area code will exhaust its potential combinations by the second quarter of 2028. Industry guidelines maintain that an “overlay” area code should be in place at least six months before an in-use area code is exhausted. A specific date for the introduction of the 565 area code has not been set.

The 912 area code was established in 1954. It was the first split from the 404 area code that was once used statewide in Georgia.

In 2000, the 912 area code was further split into the 229 and 478 area codes. Georgia currently has 10 area codes: 229, 404, 470, 478, 678, 706, 762, 770, 912, and 943.

The 912 area code is assigned to phone numbers in Southeast Georgia, including the cities of Brunswick, Douglas, Hinesville, Kingsland, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Saint Marys, Savannah, Statesboro, Waycross and various smaller municipalities.

The boundaries of the 912 area code are not expected to change. These same cities will soon be using the 565 area code as well as 912.

Officials said that adding the 565 area code will ensure Southeast Georgia has sufficient new phone numbers for the next 24 years.

Responsibilities of the North American Numbering Plan Administrator are defined in Federal Communications Commission rules and technical requirements drafted by the telecommunications industry and approved by the FCC.