The storied 205 area code in service since 1947, now shares its map with the newcomer 659. The overlay secures a long term supply of numbers but also makes ten digit (or 1 + ten digit) dialing mandatory for every local call. Here’s the quick rundown.
New 659 Area Code Overlay
Rather than carving Alabama’s heartland into smaller zones, regulators layered 659 on top of 205. Your existing number stays the same; only new lines may receive 659. Because two area codes now cover the same geography, every local call must include the area code plus the seven digit number.
205 Area Code Regions Affected
The overlay spans west central Alabama, including:
- Birmingham, Hoover, Homewood, Bessemer, Mountain Brook
- Tuscaloosa, Northport, Aliceville
- Jasper, Hamilton, Cullman, Clanton
Smaller communities across Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Shelby, Walker, Pickens, and Chilton counties
Dialing Rules
Landlines: Dial 1 + area code + phone number (11 digits total).
Mobile phones: Dial area code + phone number (10 digits) or 1 + area code + number either works.
Seven digit dialing no longer completes a call.
Ten digit dialing became permanent on October 12 2019.
Key Dates for the 659 Roll Out
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| April 13 2019 | Permissive 7 /10 digit dialing period begins (seven digits still work) |
| October 12 2019 | Mandatory 10 /11 digit dialing for all local calls |
| November 12 2019 | First 659 numbers available for new service |
What Stays the Same
- Your current 205 number does not change.
- Local calling areas and pricing remain identical 659 carries no extra fees.
- Three digit services (911, 211, 311, etc.) still dial with three digits.
- Long distance rules and toll rates are unchanged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why add 659 instead of splitting the map?
Overlays avoid the cost and confusion of forcing residents and businesses to change long standing numbers.
Will caller ID look strange?
No 659 simply shows a newer assignment within the same Central Alabama footprint.
Do mobile users have to dial “1”?
Most wireless carriers complete calls with either ten or eleven digits; landlines generally need the leading “1.”
Does the overlay raise call charges?
No. Rate center boundaries and tariffs stay exactly the same.
