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Report: LA Is Running Out Of 323 Area Codes

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Angelenos applying for a new phone number may soon find that they can't get their hands on a 323 area code.

Los Angeles is running out of 323 phone numbers - usually assigned to users west and south of downtown, among other areas - and the California Public Utilities Commission has announced they'll soon switch new applicants to an old code - 213.

So who's been using the 213 area code up until now? That number, one of L.A.'s original codes, up until now has largely been assigned to downtown residents.

The CPUC predicts that, by March of 2018, the 323 prefix will run out. The agency says it may start allocating 213 codes to an area spanning as far west as Beverly Hills, as far east as Rosemead, and all the way down to Lynwood.

The agency is holding a series of public meetings beginning next week to hear concerns from customers. The full commission could vote on the matter as early as the fall of 2017 and a change could go into effect the following spring.

Scheduled Meetings:

South Gate
Tuesday, September 8, 2015

10:00 a.m.
South Gate City Council Chambers
8650 California Avenue
South Gate, CA 90280

Los Angeles
Tuesday, September 8, 2015

2:00 p.m.
Junipero Serra State Building
Carmel Room, 1st Floor
320 W. 4th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Los Angeles
Wednesday, September 9, 2015

10:00 a.m.
Junipero Serra State Building
Carmel Room, 1st Floor
320 W. 4th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013

South Pasadena
Wednesday, September 9, 2015

2:00 p.m.
South Pasadena City Council Chambers
1414 Mission Street
South Pasadena, CA 91030

South Pasadena*
Wednesday, September 9, 2015

7:00 p.m.
South Pasadena Public Library
1115 El Centro Street
South Pasadena, CA 91030
*This meetingis not sponsored by the City of South Pasadena or the South Pasadena Public Library.

Los Angeles
Thursday, September 10, 2015

2:00 p.m.
Memorial Branch Library
4625 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019

Those unable to attend the meetings can write in to the CPUC Public Advisor's Office at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov.

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