Area Code 219: Comprehensive Overview of Northwest Indiana's Telecommunications
Key Insight: Area code 219 is integral to Northwest Indiana, serving as a crucial component of the Chicago metropolitan area's telecom infrastructure.
What is Area Code 219?
Area code 219 is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) for Northwest Indiana. It covers Lake, Porter, La Porte, Newton, and Jasper Counties, providing essential communication services to this region.
Geographic Coverage and Major Cities
Area code 219 includes several significant cities in Northwest Indiana, each contributing to the region's economic and cultural landscape.
Cities within Area Code 219
- East Chicago, IN: 41.6392° N, 87.45476° W
- Gary, IN: 41.59337° N, 87.34643° W
- Hammond, IN: 41.58337° N, 87.50004° W
- Highland, IN: 41.55365° N, 87.45198° W
- Hobart, IN: 41.53226° N, 87.25504° W
- LaPorte, IN: 41.6106° N, 86.72252° W
- Merrillville, IN: 41.48281° N, 87.33281° W
- Michigan City, IN: 41.70754° N, 86.89503° W
- Munster, IN: 41.56448° N, 87.51254° W
- Portage, IN: 41.57587° N, 87.17615° W
- Schererville, IN: 41.47892° N, 87.45476° W
- Valparaiso, IN: 41.47309° N, 87.06114° W
Telecommunications Network and Services
Area code 219 is supported by several major carriers, providing diverse telecommunications services.
Major Carriers
- AT&T
- Frontier Communications
- Northwestern Indiana Telephone Company
Services Offered
- Landline Services
- Wireless Communication
- Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
Regulatory and Historical Context
Regulatory Overview
- Regulatory Body: North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA)
- Dialing Transition: As of October 24, 2021, ten-digit dialing became mandatory to facilitate the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Historical Milestones
- 1947: Initial numbering plan areas configured by AT&T.
- 1948: Official establishment of area code 219.
- 2002: Area code 219 was split to create area codes 574 and 260.
Additional Information
Numbering and Utilization
While specific data on total numbers and utilization rates are not provided, area code 219 continues to serve a robust population in Northwest Indiana.
Future Projections
There is currently no specified data on the exhaust projection for area code 219, but ongoing monitoring by NANPA ensures adaptive management.
Conclusion
Area code 219 remains a critical part of Northwest Indiana's telecommunications landscape, supporting both residential and commercial needs. Its historical evolution and regulatory compliance continue to ensure reliable communication services.
For more detailed regulatory information, visit the FCC's official website. If you're interested in learning more about other area codes, explore our related articles on area code history and future projections.