Area Code 614

Area code 614 is the area code for the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area; it is one of the original area codes established in 1947. It originally covered most of the southeastern quadrant of Ohio, from Columbus to the West Virginia border. In 1998, nearly all of the southern portion of the old 614 territory was split into the new area code 740. In 2001, it was announced that 614 would run out of phone numbers, and it was decided that a new area code 380 would be overlaid over 614 with the same geographic boundaries, and 10-digit dialing was made optional. It was planned that after a year, 10-digit dialing would become mandatory and new 380 numbers would be issued. In the intervening time, the growth of fax machines and mobile phones dropped significantly, and new relief efforts such as number pooling were instituted, and it seemed that a new area code would not be necessary in the immediate future. In early 2002, the 380 overlay plan was suspended indefinitely. 10-digit dialing remains optional, and the 380 area code remains reserved for Columbus but not used, as of October 2012.