Area code 208
Area code is that system of telephone network division which allocates and routes the telephone numbers. This is also called Numbering Plan Area Codes This system is narrowly divided into two further systems-
Closed Numbering plan where the length of local numbers as well as area codes is fixed.
And Open Numbering Plan where length of these two factors can vary from one to another. The allotment of area codes depends upon the time that a rotary dial phone takes to dial an area code.
Area code is a mandatory three-digit number which should be added prior to original phone number when calling from mobile, outside that area code or within the overplay plans. Area codes are the geographical location in the country under which there are several telephone exchanges. This division of country on the basis of telephone network was implemented in 1947 when Bell Laboratories and AT&T designed it to connect the whole country into one unit. At that time, 18 area codes were created for 18 major cities of USA.
The first allotted area codes were for the densely populated major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington DC etc. These cities had a huge volume of calls made and received. The first area codes created were 212, 312, 213 etc. These numbers could be dialed quickly from phones with rotary dial. The logic behind assigning low digit area codes to the cities with larger call volume was that the dial took much lesser time to return to the original position. This expedited the overall time taken.
On the contrary, cities of sparsely populated states like Tennessee and Vermont were allotted high digit numbers which took time to dial. As a result, area codes had digits like 7, 8, 9 or 0. But as the touch-tone or push button phones came, this logic and mechanism became unnecessary as the tone of dialed numbers entered the digit immediately.
Area code 208 has been assigned to Idaho. This code covers the entire state, as the population of this state is extremely low. In year 2001, according to the projection made by Federal Communications Commission, this code was supposed to be exhausted by 2003. However, Public Utilities Commission of Idaho rejected the idea. As a result, the split that was in pipeline, got delayed for the time being. Instead, a proposal was given about starting a number pooling system in the region adjoining to Boise. This proposal was passed and implemented in 2007 in the entire state. This ruled out another projection of the code getting exhausted in 2010. As of the present status, there are no plans to overlay or split this area code of 208.
The main service providers of Idaho regions are Sprint Spectrum, Arch Wireless Holdings, T Mobile USA, Edge Wireless, Time Warner Telecom Of Idaho, MCI Worldcom Communications, Union Telephone Company, Qwest Corporation, Level 3 Communications and the list continues. These companies provide competent services to their clients. Since 208 is the only area code of Idaho, it is convenient for them to handle the service in entire state. Hence, they are prospering their business in the entire state. Their services include Internet connection, digital, telephone, cellular and cable services, VoIP etc. To survive the competition, they offer pocket friendly offers on different types of home and business plans too.