Tri-Cities region prepares for 729 area code addition

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) - Population growth in East Tennessee has required the state to add an additional area code to the current 423 area code.

"The North American Numbering Plan administrator notified the Tennessee Public Utility Commission that the 423 number plan area is projected to exhaust its availability of central office codes," said Grace Marek, Financial Regulatory Analyst with the Tennessee Public Utility Commission.

A new 729 area code overlay will be implemented into the area in various stages over the next few years.

The State of Tennessee wants people to start dialing the area code and the 7 digit phone number they wish to c...