The body which governs the assignment of telephone numbers says the 5-1-5 area code is running out of numbers faster than expected. Iowa Utilities Board spokesman Chuck Seel says that’s led the “North American Numbering Administrator” to clamp down on the new numbers being issued.The administrator has declared the 5-1-5 area code in a “jeopardy” state and no more than three new numbers will be assigned until a rationing plan is developed. The Utilities Board had expected the 5-1-5 area code to run out of numbers early in 2001. The board has been holding hearings on a possible solution.Seel says this puts more urgency into the process.The board is considering splitting the 5-1-5 area code in two, or using what’s called an overlay that would require 10-digit dialing. The Iowa board has asked the FCC for a waiver to allow it to better control of how numbers are issued, but Seel says the FCC has yet to respond to that request.
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