The 834 area code location is in the central and western regions of South Carolina, serving cities such as Columbia, Rock Hill, and Sumter. It is a future area code that will be added as an “overlay” to the existing 803 area code to provide a new supply of phone numbers.
If you’re curious about where this new area code is or which communities it will serve, this guide provides a complete overview of the 834 area code location, the cities included, and what the overlay plan means for residents.
Where is the 834 Area Code Location?
The 834 area code will have the exact same geographic location as the current 803 area code. This large territory covers the central and western portions of South Carolina, including the state capital and its surrounding metropolitan area.
- State: South Carolina
- Major Cities: Columbia, Rock Hill, Aiken
- Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone (observing Eastern Standard Time, EST, and Eastern Daylight Time, EDT).
Instead of splitting the region, the 834 code will be added on top of the 803 area, a method known as an overlay.
What Cities and Counties Will Be in the 834 Area?
Once activated, the 834 area code will serve all the same communities as the 803 area code. This means new phone numbers in the region could be assigned either an 803 or an 834 prefix. The location includes these major cities and towns:
Major Cities in the 834 Location:
- Columbia (the state capital)
- Rock Hill
- Sumter
- Aiken
- Lancaster
- Parts of Augusta, Georgia, that fall within the 803 numbering plan area.
Major Counties Served:
The area includes all or parts of Richland, Lexington, York, Aiken, Sumter, Orangeburg, and Kershaw counties, among others.
The Overlay Plan and 10-Digit Dialing
The new 834 area code is necessary because the region is running out of available phone number combinations under the original 803 area code. An overlay is a modern solution that avoids forcing people to change their existing phone numbers.
Here’s what the overlay plan means for everyone in this location:
- Your Existing 803 Number Will Not Change: If you already have an 803 phone number, you get to keep it.
- New Numbers May Be 834: New phone lines or mobile accounts opened after the launch may be assigned the 834 area code.
- 10-Digit Dialing Becomes Mandatory: This is the most significant change. Once the new code is active, everyone in the region will need to dial the full 10-digit phone number (area code + seven-digit number) for all local calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main city for the 834 area code?
The largest city in the 834 area code’s location will be Columbia, the state capital of South Carolina.
Will my 803 phone number change to 834?
No. The overlay plan ensures that all existing 803 numbers will remain the same.
What time zone is the 834 area code location?
The entire 834 area code location is in the Eastern Time Zone. It observes Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5) and Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4) during the summer.
Is the 834 area code a scam?
No, 834 is a legitimate and officially planned area code for South Carolina, approved by the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA). Once it is activated, it will be a standard, everyday area code.
Conclusion
In summary, the 834 area code location is central and western South Carolina, where it will serve as an overlay for the existing 803 area code. It will cover major cities like Columbia, Rock Hill, and Aiken. The introduction of this new code will provide much-needed phone numbers for the growing region and will require all residents to adopt 10-digit dialing for local calls.
