Where is Area Code 984?
Area code 984 is designated for communities within the eastern portion of North Carolina. It primarily serves metropolitan centers such as Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, extending outward to encompass surrounding cities and localities within Wake, Durham, Orange, and Johnston counties. This overlay area was established to ensure adequate telephone numbering resources for residents and businesses in these regions. One may also encounter this area code in growing suburban towns and smaller municipalities that are part of the Research Triangle area.
Local government authorities overseeing telecommunication services within this region include the North Carolina Utilities Commission (Address: 430 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27603). This Commission provides additional guidance on service provisions and numbering policies for area code 984 and other local area codes within the state.
Key locations served by 984:
- Raleigh (Wake County)
- Durham (Durham County)
- Chapel Hill (Orange County)
- Cary (Wake County)
- Garner (Wake County)
- Clayton (Johnston County)
What time zone is 984 area code in the USA?
The 984 area code falls under the Eastern Time Zone (ET). Communities that use the 984 code observe Eastern Standard Time (EST) during the fall and winter months, reverting to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) during daylight saving periods. This shift typically begins in March and concludes in early November. To stay updated on the official time standards and regulatory guidelines, individuals may refer to the National Institute of Standards and Technology official page.
History of the 984 Area Code
The 984 area code was introduced as an overlay to the existing 919 area code. Telecommunications officials recognized the need for additional numbering options due to population growth in North Carolina’s Research Triangle region, as well as a rise in mobile device usage and expanded telecommunication services. The North Carolina Department of Commerce (Address: 301 North Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27601) maintains demographic and economic data that illustrate the rapid growth in these areas.
Below is a general timeline of significant milestones:
- 1998–2000: Surge in mobile phone subscriptions and business lines caused numbering shortages in 919.
- 2011: Official announcement of the 984 overlay to alleviate the demand for new telephone numbers.
- 2012: Implementation of mandatory ten-digit dialing in regions served by 919, transitioning to inclusive use of 984.
According to the Federal Communications Commission official site (Address: 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554), the overlay system was chosen as the most efficient means to provide continuous service without requiring existing 919 subscribers to change their numbers.
How Many People Use the 984 Area Code?
It is estimated that area code 984 serves several hundred thousand subscribers amid a potential population close to two million people in the broader region. Because 919 and 984 operate simultaneously in the same geographic zone, many households and businesses continue to maintain 919 numbers alongside newly issued 984 numbers. Public officials and administrative agencies in North Carolina regularly monitor usage rates to determine if additional overlays will be required. For more information on population statistics, refer to the U.S. Census Bureau site.
Is the 984 Area Code Toll-Free?
The 984 area code is not designated as a toll-free code. Unlike toll-free area codes (such as 800, 888, and 877), calls made to or from 984 numbers may entail standard call charges. Local calling rules usually apply within the same region, but long-distance charges could be applied for calls bridging separate local exchange areas.
There are no special exceptions or extended free calling privileges automatically granted by virtue of having a 984 phone number. Instead, usual telecommunications regulations apply, which are enforced by federal and state authorities. Individuals or businesses seeking additional clarification concerning toll regulations may contact the North Carolina Utilities Commission or consult guidelines offered by the Federal Communications Commission official site.