870 Area Code Report: Location, Phone Numbers, and Local Search Engine Optimization

Arkansas, a state known for its rich history and diverse natural beauty, from the Ozark Mountains to the Mississippi River Delta, is also home to a variety of area codes. Among these is the 870 area code, which serves a significant portion of the state. In this article, we'll explore the origins, evolution, and unique characteristics of the 870 area code, providing a comprehensive overview for those curious about this numerical identifier of the Natural State.

History of the 870 Area Code

The 870 area code emerged from a growing need to accommodate the increasing demand for telephone numbers in Arkansas. Initially, the entire state operated under the 501 area code, established in 1947. However, as the population grew and technology advanced, particularly with the rise of cell phones in the late 20th century, the 501 area code faced the prospect of running out of available numbers. To prevent this, a split occurred on April 14, 1997, giving rise to the 870 area code ¹. This new area code encompassed the southern, eastern, and most of northern Arkansas, except for the northwest region, while the central and northwestern regions, including Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Fayetteville, remained under the 501 area code ³.

This split effectively alleviated the strain on the 501 area code and provided a substantial pool of new numbers to meet the expanding telecommunications needs of the state ³. The 870 area code became the 189th area code in service in North America and was one of 43 new area codes introduced that year ³. Interestingly, it was the 40th area code in the United States to not have 0 or 1 as its middle digit ³.

Geographic Coverage

The 870 area code covers a vast and diverse expanse of Arkansas, encompassing a wide range of cities, towns, and landscapes. Major cities within the 870 area code include Jonesboro, Mountain Home, Pine Bluff, Texarkana, El Dorado, and West Memphis ¹. In addition to these urban centers, the 870 area code serves numerous smaller communities, such as Nashville, Mineral Springs, Dierks, Murfreesboro, Ashdown, and De Queen ⁴. The area code stretches across various geographic regions, from the rolling hills of the Ozarks in the north to the fertile plains of the Arkansas Delta in the east and the timberlands of the south ⁵.

Counties and Cities

To illustrate the extensive reach of the 870 area code, here's a table showing the top 50 counties by population within the area code:

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And here's a table showing the top 50 cities by population within the 870 area code:

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Jonesboro: An Economic Hub in the 870 Area Code

Jonesboro, one of the largest cities in the 870 area code, stands out as a significant economic center in northeast Arkansas. The city boasts a strong agricultural base, with crop production playing a vital role in the local economy ⁶. Jonesboro is also recognized for its diverse job market, offering opportunities in manufacturing, education, healthcare, and retail. Major employers in the city include Arkansas State University, St. Bernards Healthcare, NEA Baptist Health System, Hytrol, Unilever, Nestlé, Ritter Communications, Pepsico, and Nettleton Public Schools ⁷.

Furthermore, Jonesboro has a relatively low cost of living, with the overall cost being 15.7% below the national average ⁶. This makes it an attractive location for businesses and individuals alike. The median household income in Jonesboro is $51,532, and the employment rate is 58.1% ⁶.

Central Office Prefixes

Within the 870 area code, telephone numbers are further organized using central office prefixes. These prefixes, also known as exchange codes, are the three digits that follow the area code in a ten-digit phone number. Each prefix is associated with a specific geographic location, such as a city or town, and helps to route calls efficiently. Here's a partial list of central office prefixes used in the 870 area code:

¹

This table provides a glimpse into the intricate organization of phone numbers within the 870 area code.

Evolution and Changes

The 870 area code has undergone significant changes since its inception to keep pace with the increasing demand for phone numbers. In 2009, the Arkansas Public Service Commission projected that the 870 area code would exhaust its available numbers by 2013 ¹. This projection, however, proved to be inaccurate due to successful number conservation efforts, and the implementation of an overlay was delayed ¹. These efforts included measures such as number pooling and the release of little-used central office codes, which helped to extend the lifespan of the 870 area code.

Despite these efforts, the continued growth in demand for phone numbers eventually necessitated the introduction of an overlay. In 2024, the 327 area code was added as an overlay to the 870 area code ¹. This meant that both area codes would serve the same geographic region, requiring residents to dial 10 digits for all local calls, even those within the same area code ⁸.

To ease the transition to 10-digit dialing, a six-month permissive dialing period was implemented, starting on July 21, 2023 ⁹. During this period, local calls could be made with either seven or ten digits. However, beginning on January 19, 2024, 10-digit dialing became mandatory for all local calls within the 870 area code ⁸.

The introduction of the 327 overlay also brought about the need to reprogram various devices that rely on phone numbers, including life-safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, gates, ankle monitors, speed dialers, mobile phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and medical alert devices ¹⁰. It's crucial for individuals and businesses with such devices to ensure they are reprogrammed to accommodate 10-digit dialing and to recognize the new 327 area code as valid ¹¹.

Looking ahead, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) anticipates a potential future scenario where all area code boundaries in Arkansas might be eliminated, resulting in a statewide overlay ¹. This would mean that any area code could be assigned anywhere in the state, further simplifying the numbering system and potentially delaying the need for new area codes in the future.

Dialing Procedures

With the introduction of the 327 area code overlay, dialing procedures for the 870 area code have changed. Here's a guide to dialing an 870 number from different locations:

• Within the same city: Previously, you could dial just the seven-digit phone number. Now, you must dial 10 digits (area code + phone number).
• Within the 870 area code but outside the same city: You must dial 10 digits (area code + phone number).
• From another area code: You must dial 1 + area code + phone number.
• From outside the United States: You must dial your international access code + 1 + area code + phone number ¹².

These changes ensure that calls are routed correctly within the overlay system.

Interesting Facts and Trivia

Here are some interesting facts about the 870 area code:

• It was the 189th area code in service in North America³.
• It was one of 43 area codes introduced in 1997³.
• It was the 40th area code without 0 or 1 as the middle digit³.
• It was the second area code in the state of Arkansas³.
• It is located in the Central Time Zone³.

Telecommunications Providers

Several telecommunications providers offer services within the 870 area code, including:

• AT&T Local
• Windstream Arkansas
• Verizon
• Charter Spectrum
• Vonage
• Comcast Xfinity ¹²

These providers offer a variety of services, such as landline phone service, internet access, and mobile phone plans, to residents and businesses in the 870 area code.

Advantages and Disadvantages for Businesses and Individuals

Having an 870 area code presents both advantages and disadvantages for businesses and individuals in Arkansas.

Advantages for Businesses

• Local Presence: An 870 area code can help businesses establish a local presence in eastern and southern Arkansas, fostering trust and credibility among potential customers ¹². This local presence can be particularly valuable in a state like Arkansas, where community ties are strong and consumers often prefer to support local businesses.
• Marketing Advantage: Businesses can use their 870 area code in marketing materials to target specific geographic areas and appeal to local customers ¹². This targeted approach can be more effective than broader marketing campaigns that may not resonate with the local audience.
• Enhanced Customer Engagement: Customers are more likely to engage with businesses that have a local presence, and an 870 area code can reinforce that connection ¹². This can lead to increased customer loyalty and repeat business.
• Improved Call Pickup Rates: Studies have shown that people are more likely to answer calls from local numbers, potentially leading to more leads and sales ¹⁴. This is because consumers are often wary of unfamiliar area codes, which they may associate with telemarketers or spam calls.
• Strategic Call Routing: For businesses with multiple locations, local phone numbers can be used to route calls to the most appropriate location, improving customer experience and potentially increasing sales ¹³.
• Opportunities for New Businesses: The 870 area code, particularly in cities like Jonesboro, offers a favorable environment for new businesses due to factors like a lower cost of living and a diverse range of existing industries ⁷. This can make it easier for startups to establish themselves and thrive in the region.

Advantages for Individuals

• Local Identity: An 870 area code can provide a sense of local identity and belonging for individuals in the region. This can be especially important in a state with strong regional identities like Arkansas.
• Convenience: Having a local area code can simplify communication with friends, family, and businesses within the same area.
• Avoiding Long-Distance Charges: Local calls within the 870 area code are typically less expensive than long-distance calls.

Disadvantages for Businesses

• Limited Geographic Reach: An 870 area code may not be suitable for businesses targeting a national audience, as it primarily serves a specific region within Arkansas ¹⁵. For businesses with broader ambitions, a toll-free number or a virtual phone system with multiple area codes might be more appropriate.
• Potential for Confusion: With the introduction of the 327 overlay, some customers may be confused about which area code to use when making local calls. This could lead to misdialed calls or frustration for customers who are not yet familiar with the overlay system.
• Reprogramming Costs: Businesses may incur costs associated with reprogramming equipment like security systems and fax machines to accommodate 10-digit dialing and the new 327 area code ¹¹.

Disadvantages for Individuals

• Potential for Scams: Some scammers may use local area codes to appear legitimate, so individuals should be cautious when answering calls from unknown numbers. This is a general concern with phone scams, but it's worth reiterating in the context of area code overlays, as scammers may exploit the unfamiliarity of the new area code.
• 10-Digit Dialing: The overlay requires individuals to dial 10 digits for all local calls, which can be inconvenient for some. This can be especially cumbersome for those who are used to dialing just seven digits for local calls.

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