Kentucky Area Codes Not Changing - Yet

A much anticipated change to telephone numbers in Western Kentucky is on hold. Henderson - one of the cities originally unhappy about the change - is glad to hear it wont go into effect next year. The new tentative date to start transitioning from the 2-7-0 area code to a new 3-6-4 number is Janurary first 2009 - but its likely that date will get moved back again. The state is searching for unused phone numbers. Thats good news for people in the affected areas who are putting off the change. The state expected to start changing the area code to 3-6-4 - now that change is put off until at least 2009. They realized 2-7-0 could last that long and maybe longer. Good news for Henderson Chamber of Commerce President George Warren. A change would mean a lot of businesses in his area would have to spend a good chunk of money to reprint things like letterhead and business cards. Warren thinks his area should stay on 2-7-0 because Owensboro is not in line to get an area code change. Starting next month the state is going to collect all the unused phone numbers - putting them back in the number pool - prolonging the life of 2-7-0. The reason for the change is cellphones 10 or 15 years ago one household had one number. Now every person in a house has a phone with a different phone number. In fact, theres so much need for phone numbers eventually - area codes could include four digits. But for now Warren is hoping the change would include making Henderson phone numbers 10 digits. No matter what the change - the state just wants to find enough numbers for every phone. Also included in this change delay are Hopkinsville, Madisonville, Murray and Paducah. The state says theyll know an exact date theyll start transitioning between the new numbers by the first quarter of next year.