For residents of Southern California’s Inland Empire, the mention of a new area code is nothing new. However, one particular number, the 752 area code, holds a unique story—a tale of a plan that never came to fruition, leaving it as a footnote in the region’s telephonic history.
While you won’t find anyone with a 752 area code on their phone number, this three-digit prefix was once slated to become a familiar sight for millions. This article delves into the history of the 752 area code, clarifies its current status, and explains why it remains a number in waiting.
The Planned Overlay for the 909
In the late 1990s, the demand for new phone numbers in the area served by the 909 area code was rapidly increasing. The 909 area code itself was a split from the 714 area code in 1992, covering the easternmost parts of Los Angeles County, the southwestern portion of San Bernardino County, and western Riverside County.
To address the impending exhaustion of available prefixes in the 909 region, telecommunications authorities, including the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), devised a solution: an area code overlay. This plan would introduce a new area code to the same geographical area, and the chosen number was the 752 area code.
The implementation was scheduled to begin in the early 2000s. The plan stipulated that new telephone lines would be assigned the 752 area code, while existing 909 numbers would remain unchanged. This would have necessitated ten-digit dialing for all local calls within the region.
The Unplugged Plans: Why the 752 Area Code Was Canceled
Just as residents were preparing for the introduction of the new 752 area code, the plan was halted. A combination of factors, including successful number conservation efforts and a downturn in the demand for new telephone lines, led to a re-evaluation of the need for the overlay.
Official sources, including reports from the California Public Utilities Commission, confirm that the planned overlay of the 752 area code was canceled. The code was subsequently returned to the pool of available area codes managed by NANPA, ready to be assigned elsewhere in the country when the need arises.
Current Status: An Unassigned Number
As of today, the 752 area code is not in service in the United States. Despite some online sources erroneously listing it as active in Anaheim or other parts of California, these are inaccurate. The official records from NANPA and the CPUC show no current assignment for the 752 area code.
This means that you cannot call or text a number with a 752 area code. Any attempt to do so will result in a failed connection.
What Does the Future Hold for the 752 Area Code?
The 752 area code remains a viable, unassigned number in the North American Numbering Plan. As populations grow and the demand for new phone numbers continues to rise across the United States, it is highly probable that the 752 area code will eventually be assigned to a region in need of a new area code.
Where and when that will be is yet to be determined. The process of assigning a new area code is a meticulous one, involving extensive planning and public notification. For now, the story of the 752 area code serves as an interesting case study in the dynamic nature of telecommunications infrastructure and the ever-present need to adapt to changing demands. So, while you won’t be dialing the 752 area code today, it may one day become a part of the telephonic landscape in a community near you.
