Detroit — 313 needs backup.
We present 679.
Detroit, Downriver, Grosse Pointes and other surrounding Wayne County suburbs may soon need a new phone area code. All 313 phone numbers are expected to be available by the third quarter of 2025, the Michigan Public Service Commission announced Thursday.
The state’s utilities regulator scheduled a March public hearing to discuss adding the 679 overlay area code to Detroit, its enclaves — Hamtramck and Highland Park — and the suburbs of Allen Park, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Ecorse, The Grosse Pointes, Inkster. Lincoln Park, Redford Township, River Rouge and Taylor.
The proposed 679 area code would include Detroit and the surrounding first-ring suburbs, which have had 313 area codes since 1947. This means that if you already have a 313 number, you will not lose it. Only new customers in the area will be given numbers with area code 679.
The 313 area code has become a symbol of pride for Detroit. It is part of the vernacular and is printed on T-shirts, bags and other goods.
March 13th is celebrated as a celebration of Detroit and its influence on food, music, movies and more.
Entrepreneurs named their businesses according to their area code. Campaigns focused on inclusion and increasing opportunities for Detroiters have recognized this.
Patrick Ayoub, owner of Detroit Watch Co. in Birmingham, said it was “absurd” to name one of his watches, inspired by the look of a rotary phone, after the 313 area code. Its popularity inspired a city collection with similar products with area codes for other major cities such as New York and Toronto.
“People use it like they use ‘313,’” Ayoub said. “It’s literally a representation of Detroit itself. People buy it in Detroit and Metro Detroit, as well as expat Detroiters and Michiganders. It is very special for them to receive it. It’s “I’m from Detroit, or originally from Detroit.” There’s a connection.”
More:March 13 is 313 days. Take a trip back in time with these Detroit photos
679 was suggested earlier
The North American Numbering Plan Administrator, which is responsible for managing telephone numbering plans in the United States, Canada and several Caribbean countries, filed an application in November to introduce the new 679 area code in Detroit.
The 313 area code has already been split twice, once in 1993 to create the 810 area code for the Brighton, Flint, and Port Huron areas, and again in 1997 to create the 734 area code for suburban western Wayne County and Washtenaw and Monroe counties.
The addition of the 679 area code will require callers to dial the area code when making local calls to 313 or 679, the public service commission said. The change will not affect customers’ accounts.
Adding another area code would require some devices, such as automatic dialing equipment, medical devices and home security systems, to be reprogrammed if only seven digits are set to dial, the MPSC said.
NANPA first tried to introduce a 679 area code overlap plan in 2000, but implementation was delayed after changes in federal numbering policy and efforts to protect numbers, the Public Service Commission said.
In its filing, NANPA said customer education, collection plan best practices and technical milestones have all changed since 2000, and asked the commission to update the old plan approved in 2001.
A public hearing to discuss the overlapping 679 area code will be held March 9 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in Frank Hayden Community Room #236, 1001 W. Fort St., Wayne County Community College District downtown .
The public may submit written comments on the overlay plan to the MPSC by sending them to PO Box 30221, Lansing, MI 48909 or by emailing mpscedockets@michigan.gov. The Commission said that all written comments should refer to Case No. U-21337.
‘313 is more than an area code’
Adding a new area code can put some organizations in a difficult position, especially those focused on expanding access and opportunities.
For example, Venture 313 is a platform for billionaire businessman Dan Gilbert’s family foundation to promote entrepreneurship in the city.
James Feagin, founder and director of economic mobility for Venture 313, said in a statement that it will continue to work to support business owners “regardless of what the future holds for phone numbers.”
“313 is more than an area code,” Feagin said. “It’s a personality. Detroiters have a long history of maintaining our connection to pieces of this city long after the names and numbers have been changed. If anything, it will strengthen our relationship.”
Some people don’t know what to think of the proposal yet.
Chris Reynolds, owner of Detroit Life clothing store at the Mall at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township, is working on some new designs with “313” and “original 313” on them.
“That would be crazy,” Reynolds said of the planned 679 area code.
But he is optimistic that Detroit 313 will not lose its identity.
“I think it represents the best city in the world,” Reynolds said. “313 will always be Detroit. It’s known across the United States and around the world.”
He would know. He said he has shipped “313” shirts as far away as Europe, Madagascar and Iran.
Can he imagine adding a little “679” to the mix?
“There’s no way for today,” Reynolds said. “Definitely.”
bnoble@detroitnews.com
hmackay@detroitnews.com