Talk:List of Massachusetts area codes

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Consider removing claim

The claim that "few or no landlines use" overlay area codes 339, 351, 774, and 857 is dubious at best and does not include a reference. It has been included in this article since 2011, and anecdotally, it was true at that time, as these overlay codes were still being activated and integrated and new landlines aren't in high demand. Especially with the advent of easily-accessible VoIP and other modern telephony innovations, the overlay codes seem to be used more and more for "landline" purposes. Again, this is merely anecdotal, but I have personally noted a number of businesses with 774 and 857 numbers (including larger, corporate businesses - i.e. Target stores, McDonald's franchises, etc.). Even the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has an 857 number, and the state's Cannabis Control Commission lists a 774 number. In my estimation, the claim is erroneous at worst and outdated at best. It should be removed from the article. Realdj71 (talk) 02:44, 25 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

I looked at this too and I think your comment has merits. I've also noticed some state agencies using +1.857 numbers too. Plus it stands to reason as an 'overlay', that before 617 exhausts it would as a matter of process seek to fill up 857 too. CaribDigita (talk) 20:07, 12 January 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Untitled

Conflicting info???

The map of NANP in 1947 *appears* as though 413 contained what was 508 in the late 90's. But the NANP administrator states that 508's parent was 617... I-- went by the info from the NANP administrator because they are gernally supposed to be the "authority" on the subject. Can anyone remember back to the early 80's in MA??? It says 508 was implemented in 1988. I have no idea where to find a 1986 or 1987 NYNEX phonebook now. (As I believe they would probably have some info for customers about the pending implementation of 508.) I think most libraries would have thrown out phone books from over 20 years ago. *gulp* CaribDigita (talk) 07:41, 12 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

That "map of NANP" is wrong for MA (given the size of the state in the drawing, it's certainly possible that someone simply messed up). I grew up smack dab between Worcester and Boston, and I had the 617 area code, and just before I went off to college, we were changed to 508. My high school yearbook has ads for local businesses, using the 617 area code.

I do find it odd that 617 was much larger than 413, given that the eastern half of the state is more populous. Tmshortt (talk) 04:45, 2 December 2022 (UTC)[reply]

This link: https://www.lincmad.com/table1947.html seems to indicate that the 413/617 area codes boundary was re-aligned in 1960, but I'm not sure believe that; no source is provided. Not sure why they would have had 617 so small to begin with.

Other References:

https://www.areacodehelp.com/where/area_code_617.shtml

https://www.area-codes.com/area-code-history.asp - just mentions "Boston metro region" and "outside Boston metro region". The Boston suburbs are quite large, and some people place northern RI and southern NH as part of the Boston metro region.

https://www.allareacodes.com/617 - this makes no mention of the 508 split (but 508 does mention the split from 617).

https://www.telegram.com/story/news/2016/09/19/more-iphones-5-intriguing-stories-behind-mass-area-codes/25415193007/

https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/10/us/in-massachusetts-508-from-617-is-confusion.html - Actual news article

https://underunderstood.com/podcast/episode/area-code-conspiracy-theory/ - this has some interesting references.

Despite the "NANP in 1947" map, 508 did split from 617; the most damning evidence is the NY Times article. Tmshortt (talk) 05:17, 2 December 2022 (UTC)[reply]

This is interesting... business cards with a Massachusetts angle. Many with area codes. No evidence of 413 being far east, but certainly 617 being used in Worcester and the Boston suburbs.

https://www.masscult617.com/chuck-white-business-cards Tmshortt (talk) 05:28, 2 December 2022 (UTC)[reply]