| The area code 971 services part of Oregon state, and | | | | number and their landlines. This overlay was all of the |
| is one of the more frustrating of the new codes | | | | 503 code, with the exception of Tillamook and Clatsop |
| added throughout the United State. This is because this | | | | counties. They remained exclusively with the 503 code. |
| code is an overlay rather than a split. That means that | | | | This should be changing in April of 2008. That means |
| instead of having its own area of coverage, this area | | | | the entire area of 503 will be overlaid by the area |
| code is used in the same area as another. That can | | | | code 971. |
| cause a lot of confusion when first implemented, and | | | | Though there is some confusion when you have |
| that confusion can leave many feeling frustrated. It | | | | overlaying area codes, you can be sure any phone |
| also makes pinpointing the origin of an unknown phone | | | | number with the area code 971 is coming from the |
| call a bit trickier. | | | | northwestern part of the state of Oregon. That |
| At one time, the area code 503 was the only area | | | | includes the cities of Portland, Salem, and Astoria. This |
| code that was needed in the state of Oregon. That | | | | is a small area, but has the highest population in the |
| meant it covered the entire state and there were | | | | state. The 971 code is not used as much as thought, |
| plenty of phone numbers to go around. When cell | | | | but some unknown calls coming into your home may |
| phones became more popular, people found the need | | | | have this code. |
| to have more than one phone number. That put a | | | | When dealing with such an area code 971 number, you |
| strain on the system, and a new code was added to | | | | have a few choices. You can start with a white or |
| the state. That code was 541, and it split from the 503 | | | | yellow page reverse phone lookup. If you are getting |
| code. After that, it became clear that an additional | | | | calls from a landline number, you may find what you |
| code was needed, and that was the area code 971. | | | | need there. However, if your unknown number is |
| When the area code 971 was introduced, those in the | | | | cellular, you may have to find a reverse cell lookup that |
| 503 area code had a new set of numbers to dial. That | | | | will search the area code 971 in more detail for you. |
| meant some had a different area code for their mobile | | | | |