Area Code 201: New Jersey Coverage, Cities, and Telecom Details

Area Code 201: New Jersey Coverage, Cities, and Telecom Details

Introduction

Curious about Area Code 201? This code is integral to New Jersey's telecommunications, covering key areas in the northeastern part of the state. This guide will explore its geographic coverage, major cities, telecom services, and regulatory framework.

What is Area Code 201?

Area Code 201 is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) and serves northeastern New Jersey, primarily Hudson and Bergen counties. It was the first area code assigned in the NANP in 1947.

Geographic Coverage

Area Code 201 spans a densely populated region adjacent to New York City. Here's a closer look at the major cities within this area code:

Major Cities in Area Code 201

  • Bayonne, NJ (40.66871, -74.11431)
  • Bergenfield, NJ (40.9276, -73.99736)
  • Cliffside Park, NJ (40.82149, -73.98764)
  • Englewood, NJ (40.89288, -73.97264)
  • Fair Lawn, NJ (40.94038, -74.13181)
  • Fort Lee, NJ (40.85093, -73.97014)
  • Hackensack, NJ (40.88593, -74.04347)
  • Hoboken, NJ (40.74399, -74.03236)
  • Jersey City, NJ (40.72816, -74.07764)
  • Kearny, NJ (40.76843, -74.14542)
  • North Bergen, NJ (40.80427, -74.01208)
  • Paramus, NJ (40.94454, -74.07542)
  • Ridgewood, NJ (40.97926, -74.11653)
  • Teaneck, NJ (40.8976, -74.01597)
  • Union City, NJ (40.77955, -74.02375)
  • West New York, NJ (40.78788, -74.01431)

Telecom Services and Infrastructure

Area Code 201 is served by several major telecom carriers, offering a variety of services:

Major Telecom Carriers

  • Verizon: 45% market share
  • AT&T: 30%
  • T-Mobile: 15%
  • Others: 10%

Types of Services Available

  • Landline
  • Wireless
  • VoIP

Numbering and Utilization

Area Code 201, combined with its overlay 551, provides approximately 7.92 million numbers. The current utilization rate is 70%, with an exhaust projection for 2025.

Regulatory Framework

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) governs Area Code 201, ensuring compliance with the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) regulations. Since December 1, 2001, ten-digit dialing has been mandatory.

Historical Milestones

  • 1947: Area Code 201 was the first NPA code assigned.
  • 1951: First long-distance direct-dial call from Englewood, NJ.
  • 1956: Split to form Area Code 609.
  • 1991: Split to form Area Code 908.
  • 1997: Split to form Area Code 973.
  • 2001: Overlay with Area Code 551.

Conclusion

Area Code 201 remains a vital part of New Jersey's telecom landscape, serving a bustling and historically rich region. As demand grows, its overlay with Area Code 551 ensures adequate numbering resources.

For more details on New Jersey's telecom regulations, visit the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. For further reading on area codes, consider exploring related articles on telecom infrastructure and numbering plans.