COEUR d'ALENE - The days of a single area code for Idaho are coming to an end, but who is allowed to continue using 208 has yet to be decided.

According to Gene Fadness with Idaho Public Utilities Commission there are two possible scenarios for adding a second area code in Idaho.

The first is called the "geographic overlay" method, and the second is the "geographic split" method.

In the overlay method, Fadness explained, a new area code will be selected by the North American Numbering Plan Administration and it will be attached to all new phone numbers issued in Idaho and phone numbers currently in use will continue to use 208.

However there is a drawback to that method in that "all" telephone users will have to dial the full 10-digit telephone number, including the area code, for the person they are trying to reach even within their own area code.

"It is an inconvenience, but it's less onerous than a geographic split," he said. "I remember when all you had to dial was four digits and we had to go to seven digits and it seemed like an inconvenience, but people got used to it."

The geographic split method would require the IPUC to split the state geographically and decide who gets the new area code and who gets to keep the 208 numbers.

Fadness said that option would likely start a statewide fight to decide which region will have to change their phone numbers.

"The half that have to change their numbers would be up in arms," he said, adding Boise would likely argue that it is the commerce hub of the state and it would be far more costly for their companies to rebrand their marketing materials with new numbers, and the rest of the state would accuse Boise of trying to run the show again.

Fadness said all telecom providers in the state are unanimously recommending the overlay method, but he added the IPUC has to keep the split option on the table and consider what the majority of public comments have to say about the change.

An agency that contracts with the federal government to administer the nation's area code numbering plan recently informed Idaho officials and telecommunications providers that Idaho's 208 area code is projected to run out of available numbers in mid-2018, Fadness said in a release.

According to the North American Plan Numbering Administrator, there are only 12 states left with one area code, but second area codes are being proposed in half those states, including Idaho, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Other states with one area code include Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Fadness said Idaho's telecommunications providers are asking the IPUC to begin a 16-month implementation period for a second area code. There is no cost to customers.

The 16-month process includes a six-month public education component, and a nine-month permissive dialing period, he said.

"During the nine-month period, people will still be able to use the seven-digit numbers, but they'll get a recording telling them to start using the 10-digit numbers," Fadness said, adding the message would include the cutoff date for the permissive dialing.

In the fourth quarter of 2016, Fadness said the system would switch to 10-digit dialing only.

"If someone tries to dial a seven-digit number they will get a recording telling them to use the area code," he said

The commission will soon announce a schedule for processing this case which may include customer workshops or hearings. To date, the commission has determined that the case will be processed by written comment. The commission is taking comments on the application through Oct. 6.

Comments are accepted via email by accessing the commission's website at www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on "Case Comment Form," under the "Consumers" heading. Fill in the case number (GNR-T-15-06) and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to (208) 334-3762.

The commission's order and other documents related to this case are available on the commission's website. Click on "Open Cases" under the "Telecom" heading and scroll to the above case number.