Torontonians who still covet the 416 area code will soon have a new three-digit prefix to contend with, as telecom officials announce 437 will be rolled out as the city's newest area code.
The new digits will join Toronto's current 416 and 647 prefixes starting on March 25, 2013, the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced on Friday.
Toronto's rapidly-growing population has nearly exhausted the number of phone numbers available under Toronto's two current codes. The CRTC says that without 437, the current supply will be entirely tapped out by July 2015.
The 437 prefix was decided on by the Canadian Numbering Administration and phone companies last spring. It was chosen from a pool of 50 numbers set aside in the early 1990s.
But many who lay claim to the city's classic 416 and 647 area codes say they don't want to welcome a new combination. Current phone numbers will not be affected by the addition.
Ten years ago, Torontonians had to adjust to dialing 647 with new numbers. The prefix was introduced to combat the expanding number of residents snapping up city phone numbers.
At that time, those who held the original 416 code were hesitant to risk a change to the unfamiliar number.
The classic area code has even been celebrated in a song entitled "416/905" by Toronto-based rapper Maestro.
