As more phone numbers are needed in the fastest growing state in the country, South Carolina, adding new area codes has become a necessity.
According to most recent census data, the Palmetto State grew by 1.46%, just outpacing Idaho.
The need for more numbers in the midlands part of S.C. dates back to 2018, when the state Public Service Commission saw the need to add the 839 area codes as an overlay for the 803 area. An overlay is the addition of another area code – in this case 839 – to the same geographic region served by an existing area code – 803. When this occurs, existing customers retain their area codes.
The assigning of 839 started in mid-2020.
Users getting the new digits in the FTC territory included Sumter County, Bishopville, Manning and Summerton. It also covers Columbia, Rock Hill, Aiken and Orangeburg, to name a few.
So users with caller identification should not be surprised to the see the 839 area code on their phone displays.
It literally could be their neighbors across the street or next door.
More information is available by going to the PSC website at https://psc.sc.gov, the FTC website at ftc.net or by calling FTC at 888-218-5050.
