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Sent TeamMay 3, 2025 / area code / Article

Area Code 408: Locations, Carriers, and Regulations Explained

Explore area code 408's details, serving California's Bay Area since 1959. Includes San Jose & Santa Clara. Understand its 7.92M numbers, 70% utilization, AT&T/Verizon market share, plus CPUC/NANPA regulations. Mandatory 10-digit dialing since 2012; overlays with area code 669.

Area Code 408: Locations, Carriers, and Regulations Explained

<Callout type="info"> Area code 408 serves the southern San Francisco Bay Area, including parts of Santa Clara and Northern Santa Cruz counties in California. </Callout>

What is Area Code 408?

Area code 408 is a crucial component of California's telecommunications network, primarily serving the southern San Francisco Bay Area. Established on March 1, 1959, it includes major cities like San Jose and Santa Clara.

Key Details

  • NPA Code: 408
  • Type: Overlay
  • Implementation Date: 1959
  • State: California

Geographic Coverage of Area Code 408

Area code 408 encompasses a significant portion of Santa Clara County and extends into parts of Northern Santa Cruz County.

Major Cities in Area Code 408

CityLatitudeLongitude
Campbell37.28717-121.94996
Gilroy37.00578-121.56828
Los Gatos37.22661-121.97468
Milpitas37.42827-121.90662
Morgan Hill37.1305-121.65439
San Jose37.33939-121.89496
Santa Clara37.35411-121.95524
Saratoga37.26383-122.02301
Sunnyvale37.36883-122.03635

Numbering and Utilization

Area code 408 has approximately 7.92 million numbers available, with a utilization rate of 70%. Projections suggest exhaustion by 2025.

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Major Carriers

  • AT&T: 40% market share
  • Verizon: 30% market share
  • T-Mobile: 20% market share
  • Others: 10% market share

Types of Services

  • Landline
  • Wireless
  • VoIP

Regulatory Overview

Area code 408 is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Compliance with the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) guidelines is mandatory.

Dialing Requirements

  • 10-digit dialing has been mandatory since October 20, 2012.

Historical Milestones

  • 1959: Area code 408 was created from area code 415.
  • 1998: Geographic split led to the creation of area code 831.
  • 2012: An overlay with area code 669 was implemented.

Conclusion

Area code 408 is vital for telecommunications in California's Bay Area, evolving through splits and overlays to meet increasing demand. It supports diverse services across various carriers.

For more detailed information, visit the North American Numbering Plan Administration website.



Frequently Asked Questions

What cities are covered by area code 408 in California?

Area code 408 covers several cities in California, including San Jose, Santa Clara, Campbell, Gilroy, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale.

When did area code 408 become active, and what area code was it split from?

Area code 408 was established on March 1, 1959, as a split from area code 415.

What is the overlay area code for 408, and when was it implemented?

The overlay area code for 408 is 669, and it was implemented in 2012.

What is the approximate number of available phone numbers in area code 408?

Area code 408 has roughly 7.92 million available phone numbers.

What is the current utilization rate of area code 408 phone numbers?

The utilization rate of area code 408 is approximately 70%.

When is area code 408 projected to exhaust its available phone numbers?

Area code 408 is projected to exhaust its available phone numbers by 2025.

Which counties does area code 408 primarily serve in California?

Area code 408 primarily serves Santa Clara County and parts of Northern Santa Cruz County in California.

Who are the major telecommunication carriers in area code 408 and their respective market shares?

The major carriers in area code 408 are AT&T (40%), Verizon (30%), T-Mobile (20%), and other smaller carriers (10%).

What types of phone services are available within area code 408?

Area code 408 supports landline, wireless, and VoIP phone services.

What is the regulatory body governing area code 408?

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulates area code 408.

When did 10-digit dialing become mandatory for area code 408?

10-digit dialing became mandatory for area code 408 on October 20, 2012.

What area code was created from a geographic split of area code 408, and when?

Area code 831 was created from a geographic split of area code 408 in 1998.

Where can I find more information on the North American Numbering Plan?

You can find more detailed information on the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) website.

What cities are in area code 408 California?

Area code 408 primarily covers cities in the southern San Francisco Bay Area, including San Jose, Santa Clara, Campbell, Gilroy, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale, spanning Santa Clara and parts of Northern Santa Cruz counties.

What is the area code 408 overlay?

Area code 408 has an overlay with area code 669, implemented in 2012. This means both area codes serve the same geographic region, requiring 10-digit dialing for all calls.

How to dial area code 408 from California?

Since October 20, 2012, 10-digit dialing (including the area code) is mandatory for all calls within area code 408 and to other area codes in California.

When was area code 408 created?

Area code 408 was originally established on March 1, 1959, as a split from area code 415. It later underwent another split in 1998, creating area code 831.

What is the area code 408 number utilization rate?

Area code 408 has about 7.92 million available numbers and currently has a utilization rate of 70%. It's projected to be exhausted by 2025.

Why does area code 408 require 10-digit dialing?

The implementation of an overlay (area code 669) within the same geographic region as 408 necessitates 10-digit dialing to ensure calls are correctly routed.

What are the main cell phone carriers in area code 408?

The major carriers in area code 408 are AT&T (40% market share), Verizon (30%), T-Mobile (20%), and other smaller carriers making up the remaining 10%.

What is the history of area code 408 splits?

Originally part of 415, area code 408 was created in 1959. In 1998, it was split again, resulting in the creation of area code 831 to accommodate growth.

When should I use 10-digit dialing for area code 408?

10-digit dialing (including the area code) is always required when making calls within or to area code 408, regardless of whether it's a local call or not. This rule has been in effect since October 20, 2012.

What county is area code 408 primarily located in?

Area code 408 is primarily located within Santa Clara County, California, and also covers a portion of Northern Santa Cruz County.

Who regulates area code 408?

Area code 408 is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), adhering to guidelines set by the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA).

What types of phone services use area code 408?

Area code 408 supports various telecommunications services, including traditional landlines, wireless mobile services, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

Where can I find more information about area code 408 regulations?

For further details about area code 408 and its regulations, consult the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) website.