NANP (North American Numbering Plan) has allocated area code 716 for Buffalo, Niagara Falls, including four surrounding counties of Western New York. The four counties around Western New York that are covered by this area code are:
- Erie County includes the Buffalo City and its nearby suburb areas
- Cattaraugus County includes Olean city
- Chautauqua County includes two cities – Dunkirk & Jamestown
- Niagara County includes Lockport & Niagara Falls
The city of Olean is near area code 585 and hence there are a few exchanges, especially those who use Sprint cell phones, in the city that use area code 585 as well.
It is also among the original area codes assigned at its inception in 1947. The initial NPA (Numbering Plan Area) also covered a major portion of central New York. In 1954, the CRTC created area code 607 by merging the eastern part of area code 716 and the southern part of area code 315. Then in the year 2001, a new area code 585 was created for Rochester including its suburbs.
Till the year 1993, it used to be bounded by erstwhile area code 416 (now area code 905) at the Niagara River in the Ontario province.
Before the year 2021, area code 716 used to have telephone numbers assigned for code 988 which was a central office code. However, in the year 2020, the authorities designated code 988 as the hotline for national suicide prevention. This created conflict for exchanges with the 7-digit dialing system. Because of that, it was then converted to a 10-digit dialing system from October 2021.
Interesting facts related to the area code 716
There is a basketball team also which is named after the area code 716. It is called ‘Buffalo 716ers’.
As per the Hollywood movie – Bruce Almighty which came in the year 2003, the phone number used to call God was 776-2323. This number was later removed from television and home versions of the movie. The reason was quite simple people used to routinely misdial this number and it used to create a nuisance for the actual subscriber. The area code 716 has officially unassigned this number for the region and it remains unassigned.
People also consider July 16 i.e. 7/16 every year to celebrate several things across the region which include sports, sights and sound, food, contribution to society, etc.
As per a forecast by NANP, it was estimated that all the central office prefixes will get exhausted for area code 716 by the year 2024. The authorities have forecasted that a new area code will be added by the year 2025. The last time when a new area code was assigned was in August 2002 when area code 585 was made from Rochester and the eastern portion of then 716. However, this time authorities have decided not to create a new area code by splitting the region rather an overlay code will be added. It will only reduce the efforts owing to managing the technical difficulties in splitting a region.
Key facts about area code 716
Area:
Area code 716 covers the Erie, Chautauqua, Niagara, and Cattaraugus counties in the Western New York state.
Other Counties:
Allegany County, Genesee County, Livingston County, Monroe County, Ontario County, Wyoming County, Orleans County,
Major Cities:
Rochester, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Olean, North Tonawanda, Lockport, Jamestown, Depew, Batavia, Tonawanda, etc.
Time-zone:
The area code falls in the Eastern time zone and mainly follows EST (Eastern Standard Time). From mid of March time early November, when daylight saving time is observed everywhere, it follows the Eastern Daylight Time / EDT. The standard time zone remains as UTC/GMT – 5.00 hours and there is a daylight saving time of + 1.00 hours. During the daylight saving period, due to the time zone offset, the standard time zone becomes UTC/GMT – 4.00 hours.
Introduction date:
It was introduced on 1st January 1947.
Most popular prefixes in 716:
274 / 229 / 271 / 285 / 304 / 275 / 436 / 433 / 215 / 297 / 608 / 442 / 216 / 717 / 343 / 258 / 207 / 322 / 898 / 812