What is 659 Area Code – The 659 area code is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan that serves the central and western parts of Alabama, primarily as an overlay to the existing 205 area code. It covers major cities including Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Hoover.
Location and Coverage
Area code 659 operates in the same geographic region as 205. This means calls within this area may require dialing the full 10-digit number (area code + seven digits) due to the overlay. It falls in the Central Time Zone.
Key cities served:
- Birmingham (largest city)
- Tuscaloosa
- Hoover
- Other communities in central and western Alabama
Also Read-What is a Growth Scan?
History and Purpose
The 659 area code was introduced in October 2019 (with new numbers assigned starting around November 2019) because the 205 area code was running out of available phone numbers due to population growth and increased demand for mobile devices. It functions as an overlay, allowing both 205 and 659 numbers to coexist in the same region without changing existing numbers.
FAQs : What is 659 Area Code
What cities does the 659 area code cover?
It primarily covers Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, and surrounding areas in central and western Alabama.
Is 659 a new area code?
Yes. It was added in 2019 as an overlay to the 205 area code to provide more phone numbers.
Do I need to dial the area code for local calls in 659?
Yes. Ten-digit dialing (area code + number) is required for all calls within the 205/659 region.
Is 659 only for cell phones?
No. It is used for both landlines and mobile phones in the covered area.