Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The Indiana Regulatory Commission split the 219 area code into three separate area codes last year. While the change became effective Jan. 15, there's been a probationary period for the last five months.
Beginning June 14, the old 219 code will no longer connect callers to two-thirds of northern Indiana.
Most of Kosciusko County will change to the 574 area code. Calls to Sidney and Silver Lake require the 260 area code.
The geographic split stretches numbers consumed by the popularity of cellular telephones, pagers, fax machines, computer modems and other equipment. Most of these units will have to be reprogrammed to accommodate the area code change.
Indiana phone numbers were nearly depleted. This realization began in 1996 with a split in the central part of the state.
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission began examining the best solutions to the northern part of the state's problem in 1999. After several hearings and public meetings, it was determined two new area codes were needed.
In July 2001, a random drawing was held to assign the new area codes to their respective regions.
After June 14, mandatory dialing begins. Until July 29, callers will hear a recorded message advising them to redial the number using the correct code.
The new area codes are expected to last at least 20 years.
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor public information officer Anthony Swinger said the new area codes do not affect 911 calls, long distance telephone rates, local rates or local (free) calling area boundaries.
