It’s not just the 803 anymore. Columbia is getting a new area code, y’all

Move over, 803. Columbia is getting a new area code.

A branch of the Federal Communications Commission announced Thursday the central area of South Carolina will be assigned a new area code — 839 — in 2020, according to a statement from the North American Numbering Plan Administration.

The area code will be the fifth in the state, with 864 covering the Upstate, 803 in the Midlands and 843 and 854 in the Lowcountry.

Currently, the 803 area code runs from York and Lancaster counties down to their southern counterparts: Edgefield County, Hampton County and everything in between. The new 839 code will serve as an overlay.

The S.C. Public Service Commission approved the new area code, which will cover the same region as the 803 area code, according to the statement. Those with 803 phone numbers will keep their existing area code.

All customers in the area will be required to use an area code when dialing once the new number rolls out, the statement said.

This story was originally published August 10, 2018 at 1:43 PM.