Area codes 304 and 681

North American telephone area code 304 was established October 1947 as one of the original area codes, and serves all of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It was overlaid with area code 681, effective March 28, 2009.

Due to West Virginia's low population density, it was one of the last remaining states with only one area code. However, in 2007, news reports indicated that West Virginia would soon need a new area code. This was largely due to the proliferation of cell phones and fax machines.

On January 29, 2008, the West Virginia Public Service Commission voted 2-1 for a split of the existing 304 area code, with commission chairman Michael Albert dissenting in favor of an overlay. The proposed split had Charleston and points south (Huntington, Bluefield, Beckley) staying in 304, while the northern and eastern portions of the state (Wheeling, Morgantown, Clarksburg, Parkersburg) would have been split into a new area code. However, telecommunications providers were overwhelmingly in favor of an overlay, as they wanted to spare customers the burden of having to change their numbers. They were still able to ask the Commission to reconsider, or appeal to the West Virginia State Supreme Court, for an overlay instead of a split.

Over the following two weeks, numerous state and local government officials and various business interests voiced strong opposition to a split of 304, in favor of an overlay. Even Governor Joe Manchin voiced his support of an overlay. Several telecommunications providers then officially appealed to the Public Service Commission for an overlay, which was unanimously approved by all three commissioners on February 13, 2008. It is the first example of an entire state previously only served by a single code being overlaid.

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