Houston, Texas uses area codes 713, 281, 832, and 346.

Area code 346 was introduced in Houston, Texas on July 1, 2014.

Area code 346 was implemented as an overlay to meet the increasing demand for phone numbers in the growing Houston metropolitan area.

Area code 346 covers the Houston metropolitan area and surrounding regions in southeastern Texas, including cities like Alvin, Atascocita, Baytown, and The Woodlands. See the article for a complete list of cities covered.

Yes, 10-digit dialing (including the area code) is mandatory for all calls within area code 346 and the other overlayed Houston area codes.

Area code 346 has approximately 7.8 million available phone numbers.

Major carriers in the 346 area code include AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, alongside other smaller providers.

Area code 346 supports landline, wireless, and VoIP phone services.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) regulates area code 346, ensuring compliance with NANPA regulations and number conservation measures.

Before 346, Houston used area codes 713, which was later split to create 409 and then 281. Area code 832 was also added as an overlay to 713 and 281 prior to the introduction of 346.

Area code 713, one of the original Texas area codes, was established in 1947.

Projections suggest that area code 346 may exhaust its available phone numbers by late 2025.

For further information, visit the website of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC).

An area code overlay is a new area code that is added to an existing geographic area, overlapping with one or more pre-existing area codes.

NANPA (North American Numbering Plan Administration) is responsible for managing the North American Numbering Plan, including area code assignments. Area code 346 operates under NANPA regulations.

Area code 346 was activated on July 1, 2014. This overlay code was added to supplement the existing area codes 713, 281, and 832, which serve Houston and the surrounding region.

The increasing demand for phone numbers in Houston led to the establishment of area code 346 as an overlay. This new code, added in 2014, helps ensure available phone numbers for the growing population and businesses in the Houston metropolitan area.

Area code 346 makes approximately 7.8 million phone numbers available for use in the Houston area. As of the latest data, the utilization rate is about 65%, with a projected exhaustion date in late 2025.

Area code 346 primarily serves the Houston metropolitan area in southeastern Texas. Cities included in this area code range from Alvin and Atascocita to Sugar Land and The Woodlands, encompassing a wide swathe of the region.

The Woodlands, TX is covered by area code 346. This area code, implemented in 2014, serves as an overlay for the Houston metropolitan area and requires ten-digit dialing for all calls.

Ten-digit dialing is mandatory for all calls within area code 346. This means you must dial both the area code and the seven-digit phone number, even for local calls. This practice ensures proper call routing within the overlay system.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) regulates area code 346. The PUC's oversight ensures compliance with North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) guidelines, especially regarding overlay plan implementation and number conservation measures.

An overlay area code, like 346 in Houston, is a secondary area code layered over an existing geographic area. This method allows multiple area codes to function within the same region, maximizing phone number availability and preventing number exhaustion.

Before area code 346, Houston utilized area codes 713, 281, and 832. Area code 713 was one of the original Texas area codes established in 1947. Subsequent growth led to the creation of area codes 409, 281, and the overlay code 832.

Area code 346 is projected to exhaust its available phone numbers by late 2025. This estimation is based on the current utilization rate of 65%. Once exhausted, a new area code may be introduced to maintain service in the region.

Major telecom carriers operating within area code 346 include AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. AT&T represents 35% of the market share, followed by Verizon with 30% and T-Mobile with 25%. Other smaller carriers make up the remaining 10%.

Area code 346 supports various telecommunication services, including landline, wireless, and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). This broad range of services ensures connectivity for traditional phone users as well as those leveraging internet-based communication.