Orange County could be getting a fourth area code – 657 – by next year. A projected shortage of phone numbers in the 714 area code is prompting state regulators to hold public hearings later this ...

The California Public Utilities Commission decided Thursday to add a new overlay area code, 657, in the region that has long been home to area code 714, citing a shortage of unused phone numbers.

(Adds PUC’s decision today approving the area code overlay.) The California Public Utilities Commission today OK’d the recommendation of one of its administrative law judges to add the 657 area code ...