TAMPA -- Tampa, Hillsborough County and other areas nearby are sometimes referred to as "the 813," much the same way that Atlanta is referred to as "the 404" and Miami is "the 305."
But from now on, for new residents, their phones will begin with "656."
The state Public Service Commission announced the creation of a new code in March but didn't release the digits until Thursday. PSC Chairman Gary Clark calls 656 "easy to remember."
A 13-month crossover period will begin soon. Once it's finished, residents of Hillsborough County, Oldsmar, central and parts of eastern Pasco counties will have to dial ten digits to reach local numbers.
Hillsborough County isn’t expected to face the need for another area code for 37 years.
The new area code was assigned by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator, an agency that governs phone numbers across the United States. A similar “overlay” plan was approved last year for the current 850 area code, which covers 18 counties and is used in cities such as Tallahassee, Panama City and Pensacola.
Information from the News Service of Florida was used in this story.