Area code 785
Area codes are prefixes consisting of three digit numbers that are applied to a telephone number to point out the geographical area its residents. These numbers are assigned to the telephone numbers, be it cell phones or land line of the residents of a particular area. In other words, the process of numbering the telephone numbers or an area code is a plan that has been adopted to allocate telephone numbers that belong to particular countries, states, counties or cities. Non-fixed telephone networks such as various cellular phone services are cover by these area codes as well. \r
In fact, these days the area codes of telephone numbers are as important and significant as the zip codes of the regions. NANP, which stands for North American Numbering Plan regulates the area codes in the United States of America and Canada. As per NANP, the area codes of the region must consist of 3 digits. Also, the area codes are referred to as NPAs that expands to Numbering Plan Area. After the year 1995, the area codes of North American have been extended to [2-9], [0-8], [0-9], [2-9], [0-9], and [0-9]. This pattern of numbering is known as NPA-NXX system of numbering.
Though Kansas had comparatively a small population, Bell Telephone Company scheduled it to obtain two area codes under the original North American Numbering Plan proposal in the year 1946. Initially, area codes were sequentially based on geography, thus under the plan of 1946, Kansas was proposed to receive the area codes 617 and 618. Again, according to the final plan that was adopted in October 1947, the state retained the area codes. However the numbers were radically changed from the original plan. The southern half of the state was allotted 316, and the northern half obtained 913. The usage of area codes for long-distance calls was not implemented till late 1951.
The two area codes remained constant for over 40 years. By the last decade of the last century, due to the population explosion and the propagation of mobile phones, in the Kansas City metropolitan area majorly in the Johnson County the need for more numbers were felt. On February 12, 1997, the northern Kansas area code 913 was spilt to form the new 785 area code. During the period July, 1997 to October, 1998, a period of liberal dialing was practiced. This allowed customers to use 785 when dialing long-distance. The area code 785 became mandatory in the new calling area on October 3, 1998.
Alltel Kansas Lp K, Rcc Holdings, Dobson Cellular Systems, Level 3 Communications, Sprint Spectrum, and Kansas City Smsa Limited Partnershi are few of the carriers that make use of the area code 785. A few of the major cities covered by this area code are Auburn, Colby, Goodland, Hays, Junction City, Lawrence, and Manhattan. 785 covers completly the counties of Cheyenne, Decatur, Rawlins, Norton, Smith, Phillips, Jewell, Republic, Nemaha, Washington, Marshall, Sherman, Brown, Thomas, Sheridan, Rooks, Osborne, Mitchell, Graham, Lincoln, Ottawa, Cloud, Clay, Riley, Jackson, Pottawatomie, Logan, Wallace, Gove, Rush, Trego, Ness, Ellis, Ellsworth, Russell, Saline, Geary, Wabaunsee, Dickinson, Osage, Shawnee, and Douglas. Few portions of Coffey, Atchison, Morris, Jefferson, and McPherson counties are also represented by the area code 785.