WASHINGTON D.C. - At the request of Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet today held a hearing on area codes and the harmful impact splitting them has on consumers and businesses alike. California Public Utilities President Loretta Lynch appeared before the committee as an expert witness.

During the hearing, Harman stated, “Seniors and small businesses are seriously harmed when area codes change. When the doctor’s phone number is different, a senior can panic. And when businesses need to reprint stationary and change advertising, profits suffer. Few issues arouse sharper feelings than this one, and it is critical that the FCC act to help.”

At the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, Rep. Harman addresses the urgency of solving the area code exhaust problem

California Public Utilities President Loretta Lynch responds to questions posed by Subcommittee members

"By changing the threshold for considering a block of numbers ‘contaminated’ we can reduce the number of ‘stranded’ telephone numbers and make them available for assignment, avoiding the need for new area codes. Telephone number portability is also essential, and the FCC should not extend the November 2002 deadline."

Harman and Lynch said that the hearing provided an opportunity to persuade the FCC and industry representatives about the urgency of solving the area code exhaust problem.