• In a notice released by the CRTC, they announced that we're getting another Montreal area code.
• 514 and 438 are set to exhaust by June 2024.
• The new area code will apply to new phones only.
• Visit MTLBlog for more headlines.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced that Montreal's current area codes, 514 and 438, are "projected to exhaust by June 2024," meaning it's time for Montreal to embrace an all-new area code. The two aforementioned area codes currently cover the area of Montreal and as the city continues to grow, so do the number of active phone numbers in the region. 

Luckily, the CRTC along with the Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA), has a whole Numbering Plan, which even includes a "number resource utilization forecast."

These are the kinds of things we never think about, but thank goodness someone out there is keeping track and planning ahead.

When an area code looks as though it will be exhausted "within the next 72 months," or six years, the CNA begins plans to set aside a new area code for the region that will be in need.

So what is the number that will soon be assigned to new phone numbers in the Montreal area?

263.

A spokesperson for the CRTC confirmed this number to MTL Blog amid conflicting reports.

So? What do you think? It certainly doesn't live up to Montreal's iconic 514... But then again, neither did 438 and we got over that.

Soon we will enter a new era in Montreal, where you will really be able to tell someone's age or how long they've been in Montreal.

If you rock a 514, you are the O.G.

If you've got a 438, you've been around, you know what's up, but you're still following in the footsteps of the ever-classic 514.

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People who end up with a 263 area code will either be kids who are getting their first cell phone ever, university students moving here for school or any newcomer who is getting it over with and adopting the Montreal way of life.

I, personally, can't relate. I've been in Montreal for three years and still haven't changed my cell number from my 416 area code.

It took me a long time to get that 416 number, I suffered through years with a 647 (the Toronto equivalent of the 438 area code in Montreal), and for some reason, I just can't seem to let it go.

Maybe I'll just wait and be one of the first Montrealers with the fresh, new 263 area code...

In the meantime, we've got a couple more years before the CRTC expects the new area code will be implemented, so we can use this time to appreciate what an iconic area code Montreal has and what it has come to mean for so many businesses and individuals over the years.