Georgia’s communications needs are growing. With all the new residences, fax machines, modems, cellular phones, and pagers, the 912 area code was running out of phone numbers. So, the south Georgia area has added area codes 229 and 478 to accommodate this growth.

Effective August 1, 2001, area codes 229 and 478 will serve portions of the south Georgia area previously served by area code 912.  You must dial the appropriate new area code - 229 or 478 - for long distance calls made to or within the new area code regions.  Local calling rates are not affected.
    
Area code 229 will serve all or part of 38 counties in southwest Georgia, including the cities of Albany, Cordele, Thomasville, Tifton and Valdosta.

Area code 478 will serve all or part of 23 counties in central and eastern Georgia, including the communities of Dublin, Macon, Milledgeville, Millen, Perry, Sardis and Warner Robins.

Area code 912 was retained in all or part of 32 counties in the southeast Georgia area, including the communities of Brunswick, Douglas, Homerville, Savannah, Soperton, Sylvania and Waycross.

If your area code has changed, you should update your checks, stationery, signage, and any other printed materials that include your area code. Don't forget to notify friends, relatives, and others, paying special attention to those outside the new 229 and 478 area codes.

Businesses should also update business cards, invoices, etc., and notify customers, suppliers, and business associates of the new 229 and 478 area codes.

• Update BellSouth White and Yellow Pages directories.
• Replace BellSouth Global Calling Cards for current cardholders whose area codes have changed to 229 or 478.
• Make necessary changes in ESSX^® Service and other equipment maintained by BellSouth.

If you have questions regarding this information, call 1 800 964-7941. If you are hearing-or speech-impaired and use a TTY, please call 780-2274 (inside Georgia) or 1 800 251-5325 (outside Georgia).