People getting a new landline or cellphone in Grand Forks, Christina Lake, Greenwood or other areas of B.C. might get a phone number with a 236 new area code.
The area code took effect on Saturday.
The move is attributed to the growing number of cellphone users and the fact the amount of available phone numbers is shrinking.
As a result of this, some phone customers in B.C. may be issued the new 236 area code.
The new area code covers the entire province and was approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to ensure residents and businesses have enough phone numbers.
Customers who get a new phone number may be able to choose from existing 604, 778 or 250 area codes where enough of those numbers exist.
If those options aren't available the 236 number will be issued and geographic boundaries that govern long-distance calling will not affected.
Plans for the new area code were announced in 2011 in response to the explosive growth in wireless device use.
– With files from Jeff Nagel, Black Press