Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast residents will have a chance this week to tell state regulators how they feel about having another area code.

The Florida Public Service Commission is holding four hearings in the area Thursday and Friday to discuss plans for a new area code in the four counties. Three commissioners and several staff commission members will attend.

Four years after the 561 area code was created, regulators now estimate the code could run out of numbers by 2002. Regulators are trying to extend the area code beyond that, but they still must have a backup plan.

The hearings this week are part of that process. Regulators say they will use the hearing to help determine how they should put a new area code in place.

Regulators have laid out 12 options.

They fall into three basic categories: They can split the area into two areas with different codes, known as a split. They can also lay the second area code over the first one, allowing people to keep their numbers but giving all future lines the second area code.

This second option, known as an overlay, would require callers to dial an area code even on local calls — otherwise known as 10-digit dialing. Currently, callers in the 561 area dial seven digits to make a local call.

The third set of options regulators are presenting is a combination of a split and an overlay, where only one part of the area would have to take an overlay and 10-digit dialing but the other area might have to take an entirely new area code.

“This is just to provide the customer with some other ideas,” said John Cutting, a commission staff member. “We try to give the customer as many choices as we can.”

Some people have already formed an opinion. State Sen. Ron Klein (D-Boca Raton) said in a statement he’d like to see Palm Beach County keep the 561 area code as long as it can.

Commission staff will listen to opinions at the hearing, take the phone companies’ preferences into consideration and make a recommendation of their own on Aug. 3. The full commission is expected to vote on the recommendation Aug. 15.

BellSouth, the dominant local phone company in the area, recommends a simple overlay of the new area code.

Miami-Dade County took an overlay and started 10-digit dialing in 1998. The Orlando area also got an overlay for the 407 area code last year.

Phone companies say overlays are easier because consumers and businesses won’t have to change area codes as often as would happen if there were frequent splits.

Even with an overlay, the area would need another new code in 8.8 years, according to commission estimates.

If the commission goes for a split instead of an overlay, or goes for a combination of the two, a new area code could be needed in as little as two years or as many as 29 years.

Leslie Hillman can be reached at or 954-356-4664.