Some are seeking a compromise in the battle over who gets the new 575 area code that would assign it to all new numbers in the state, allowing all existing phone numbers to retain the 505 area code.
That’s a bad idea. Though it dodges the question of who has to change letterhead, business cards and other materials because they have a new area code, it leads to a huge inconvenience for everyone in the state, and it doesn’t solve the problem.
Under that proposal, local phone calls would require the dialing of ten digits instead of seven.
That’s right. If the 505 and 575 area codes were both used statewide, any time you dialed a number that is local to you, you’d also have to include the area code, because both area codes would exist in your local calling area.
And if they didn’t include their area code in the original printings, businesses would have to reprint materials that include phone numbers.
The realistic solution is to give the new area code to one portion of the state and keep 505 in the other. The Public Regulation Commission has already figured out how to draw the line: One area would include
The only practical answer is to make one geographical area switch.
Of course, there will be a financial burden. The state, as part of such a decision, must be prepared to in some way compensate businesses for that.
That could be done in the form of a reimbursement, but that would likely be a cumbersome process subject to abuse. A tax credit for businesses in the area affected might be a more practical solution.
It doesn’t really matter which area the PRC selects, but it should select one to take the new area code, and the legislature and governor should back up the PRC with a plan to help businesses that have to adapt.