New phone area code for Houston set to activate July 1

See the area codes that represent other areas of the state.

less Houston is adding an additional area code with 346 overlaying existing area codes 713, 281 and 832 in Harris, Fort Bend, Waller, Austin, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Liberty, Chambers, Galveston and Brazoria counties. Houston is adding an additional area code with 346 overlaying existing area codes 713, 281 and 832 in Harris, Fort Bend, Waller, Austin, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Liberty, Chambers, Galveston and Brazoria ... more Photo: Bobby L. Warren, Wikimedia Commons Photo: Bobby L. Warren, Wikimedia Commons Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close New phone area code for Houston set to activate July 1 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

Starting July 1, Houston area residents might see phone numbers that begin with 346, when a new area code comes to town.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas last year announced a new area code was being added and this week cell phone companies are texting their customers as a reminder.

The new area code will create possibilities for about 8 million new numbers.

Long-time locals have no reason to grumble-they will get to keep their original area codes

The new area code will be the fourth for the nation's fourth largest city.

The original was 713. The second, 281, was added in 1997. At the time, area codes were an indication of geography, and the addition of 281 threw the PUC into a reassigning nightmare.

About half the residents in the area had to change their phone numbers when Houstonians outside the loop (Beltway 8) were reassigned the second area code, 281. Locals "in the loop" got to keep their original area code, 713.

The city kept growing and a new area code was needed in 1999. The PUC voted to add 832, but decided to require Houstonians to use 10-digit dialing.

The third area code became what is called an overlay- an additional phone number which wouldn't require residents and businesses to change numbers, just dial 10 digits.

When 346 is activated, it will overlay 713, 281 and 832 in Harris, Fort Bend, Waller, Austin, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Liberty, Chambers, Galveston and Brazoria counties.

A few numbers are still left in 281, 713 and 832, according to the PUC, but the options for new numbers are dwindling.

Houston's three existing area codes could run out by October, according to some estimates by the PUC.

The new area code might not be used immediately, but the PUC said 346 will be ready that day, just in case the other three codes run out.