The 555 Area Code

The evolution of the 555 prefix telephone numbers, designated by the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), were originally developed for fictional use only in the 1960s. The 555 prefix for fictional numbers was used by the producers in North American television shows, films, computer games, and in other forms of media to discourage prank-calls. You can image how the person assigned with the 867-5309 phone number felt after Tommy Tutone released the song Jenny 867-5309. In addition, film producers where encouraged to use the 555 prefix because there are no major English place names in the United States beginning with the combination of the letters J, K, and L (the letters assigned to the 5 key on a phone).

For example, the “Ghostbusters” use 555-2368, “Bruce Almighty” calls God at 555-0123, and Screech's spaghetti Sauce number was 555-MMMM on “Saved By the Bell”.

Today, only the telephone numbers 555-0100 through 555-01XX, are reserved for the sole purpose of fictional use. 555 numbers are used to reach a wide range of information services. The NANP has assigned 555-1212 as a standard number for directory assistance throughout the United States and Canada.

Residents of Portland, Maine can dial (207) 555-1212 for directory assistance.

Residents of Danbury, Litchfield,and Stamford, Connecticut can dial their area code (XXX) 555-1212 for directory assistance.

Massachusetts residents in Andover, Boston, Brockton, Woburn, and Worcester can dial their area code (XXX) 555-1212 for directory assistance.

Concord and Dover, New Hampshire residents can dial their area code (XXX) 555-1212 for directory assistance.

New Jersey residents in Bayonne, Belleville, Bound Brook, Elizabeth, Jersey City, and Ocean County, can dial their area code (XXX) 555-1212 for directory assistance.

Bronx, Brooklyn/Queens, Long Island, Manhattan, New City, and New York residents of New York can dial their area code (XXX) 555-1212 for directory assistance.

Pennsylvania residents living in King of Prussia, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, can dial their area code (XXX) 555-1212 for directory assistance.

If you live in Burlington, Vermont, dial (802) 555-1212 for directory assistance.

You can also dial 411 for directory assistance.

Additional sources:

www.wikipedia.org

www.nanpa.com