All About Alaska's 907 Area Code

Alaska, the largest state in the United States, is known for its breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and unique culture. It's also home to the 907 area code, one of the few area codes in the US that covers an entire state¹. This makes it a unique identifier for this vast and sparsely populated region. This article will delve into the history of the 907 area code, explore the cities and neighborhoods it encompasses, uncover interesting facts and trivia, discuss how it has evolved, and examine the advantages and disadvantages of having a 907 area code for businesses and individuals in Alaska. In addition to serving residents, the 907 area code is home to major institutions such as the University of Alaska Fairbanks, ConocoPhillips Alaska in Anchorage, and the Alaska State Government in Juneau². These institutions play a vital role in Alaska's economy and contribute to the diverse landscape of the 907 area code.

History of the 907 Area Code

The 907 area code was officially introduced on January 1, 1957². It was the 104th area code put into service in the United States and one of 10 area codes introduced that year³. Its creation was a significant step in connecting Alaska with the rest of the United States, facilitating communication and economic growth¹. Interestingly, despite having telephone service to the contiguous US via a terrestrial line through Juneau since 1937, Alaska didn't receive an area code until after the Alaska submarine cable opened in 1956⁴. This suggests that the submarine cable played a crucial role in establishing reliable and widespread telephone communication throughout the state, leading to the need for a dedicated area code.

Cities and Neighborhoods in the 907 Area Code

The 907 area code covers the entire state of Alaska, encompassing a diverse range of communities, from bustling cities to remote villages³. Some of the major cities and towns included in the 907 area code are:

It's worth noting that the small southeastern community of Hyder is an exception, as it uses area codes from neighboring British Columbia, Canada⁴.

Interesting Facts and Trivia

The 907 area code has some unique characteristics and interesting trivia associated with it:

• Geographic Significance: The 907 area code is geographically significant due to its vast coverage. It's the largest area code in the United States and the second largest in North America⁴. It also encompasses the Aleutian Islands, which cross the 180th meridian, making 907 both the farthest west and farthest east area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP)⁴. This unique geographic characteristic sets it apart from other area codes in North America.
• Single Area Code State: Alaska is one of only eleven states in the US that still have a single area code⁶. This is a testament to the state's vast size and relatively low population density. There are no current plans to introduce new area codes to Alaska until around 2049⁷.
• Rotary Phone Legacy: When rotary phones were common, the number of pulses required to dial an area code was important. The 907 area code requires 26 pulses (9 + 10 + 7), which is higher than the average for area codes created around the same time³. This suggests that Alaska was considered less of a priority due to its remoteness and lower population when area codes were initially assigned.
• Number Conservation: In the past, there were concerns about the 907 area code running out of phone numbers due to the increasing demand⁸. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 unintentionally exacerbated this issue by introducing competition to the phone industry, leading to more companies needing prefixes and more phone numbers becoming unavailable⁸. However, regulators have implemented measures to conserve phone numbers, such as number pooling, which divides large blocks of numbers into smaller ones for more efficient allocation⁸.

Evolution of the 907 Area Code

Over time, the 907 area code has undergone some changes to adapt to evolving communication needs:

• Ten-Digit Dialing: In October 2021, Alaska transitioned to mandatory ten-digit dialing for all local calls⁹. This change was implemented to accommodate the nationwide designation of 988 as the dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline⁴. Previously, some exchanges in Alaska allowed seven-digit dialing, which created a conflict with the new 988 code. This transition required individuals and businesses to update their devices and systems to accommodate ten-digit dialing¹⁰.
• Central Office Prefixes: The 907 area code utilizes a system of central office prefixes to further organize phone numbers within the state. These prefixes, typically the first three digits of a seven-digit phone number, are assigned to specific locations and service providers. For example, the prefix 200 is assigned to Valdez, while 201 is assigned to Fort Richardson.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the 907 Area Code

Having a 907 area code presents both advantages and disadvantages for businesses and individuals in Alaska:

Advantages for Businesses

• Local Presence: A 907 area code instantly establishes a local presence for businesses, fostering trust and credibility among Alaskan customers². This can be particularly beneficial for businesses that operate remotely or have a customer base primarily located in Alaska.
• Cost-Effective Communication: Customers within Alaska can call 907 numbers without incurring long-distance charges, making it easier for them to connect with businesses¹¹.
• Marketing Advantage: Businesses can use their 907 area code in marketing campaigns to target Alaskan customers and emphasize their connection to the local community¹¹.
• Increased Call Acceptance: People are more likely to answer calls from a familiar area code, leading to higher call acceptance rates and potentially increased sales for businesses¹². This is a significant advantage in today's business environment where reaching customers can be challenging.
• Flexibility and Mobility: With VoIP technology, businesses can use their 907 area code from anywhere in the world, maintaining a local presence while operating remotely¹². This provides businesses with greater flexibility and cost-saving opportunities.

Advantages for Individuals

• Statewide Recognition: A 907 area code is easily recognizable as an Alaskan number, facilitating communication within the state¹.
• Maintaining Ties to Alaska: For individuals who have moved away from Alaska, keeping a 907 area code can help them maintain their connection to the state and make it easier to stay in touch with friends and family.

Disadvantages for Businesses

• Porting Restrictions: Some mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) may not allow porting 907 numbers from outside Alaska, potentially limiting options for businesses that want to switch carriers while keeping their existing number¹³. This can be a significant drawback for businesses that rely on their phone number for customer communication and branding.
• Limited Number Availability: Although measures have been taken to conserve numbers, the increasing demand for phone lines could eventually lead to a shortage of available numbers within the 907 area code.

Disadvantages for Individuals

• Increased Risk of Scams: Scammers often use "neighbor spoofing" to display a local area code, such as 907, even when calling from outside the state or country¹⁵. This can make it more difficult for individuals to identify and avoid scam calls, especially with the increasing sophistication of these scams.
• Porting Challenges: Individuals who move outside of Alaska may face difficulties porting their 907 number to a new carrier¹⁴. This can be a frustrating experience, especially for those who have had the same number for a long time and rely on it for various accounts and services.

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