Where Is Area Code 940?
The 940 area code is designated for parts of northern Texas, covering several key cities, smaller communities, and rural regions. Official registration of the 940 prefix falls under the authority of the North American Numbering Plan. Its scope is comprehensive, ensuring phone services for diverse populations in counties adjacent to the Dallas–Fort Worth region. Among the prominent areas served are:
- Denton
- Wichita
- Wise
- Cooke
- Palo Pinto
- Montague
Officials from the Texas regulatory body, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, are located at 1701 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78711, is responsible for the oversight of telephone utilities in these counties.
What Time Zone Is 940 Area Code in the USA?
The 940 area code in the USA is in the Central Time Zone (CT).
More specifically:
- During Daylight Saving Time, it operates under Central Daylight Time (CDT), which is UTC-5 hours.
- Outside of Daylight Saving Time, it follows Central Standard Time (CST), which is UTC-6 hours.
History of the 940 Area Code
Area code 940 was instituted following a split from area code 817 in the late 1990s to manage heightened demand for new telephone numbers and to accommodate the rapid expansion in northern Texas. Official records show that 940 came into effect in 1997, allowing communities in the northwestern part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex to receive dedicated numbering resources. This historical shift aimed to:
• Alleviate strain on existing phone lines
• Anticipate population growth in northern Texas
• Streamline communications for businesses and households
Subsequent updates to the 940 designation are overseen by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator, whose central office is located at One Tower Center Boulevard, Suite 800, East Brunswick, NJ 08816. Meanwhile, regulatory policy questions can be directed to the Federal Communications Commission at 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554, which sets nationwide standards for number allocation and area code management.
How Many People Use the 940 Area Code?
Official agencies, such as the U.S. Census Bureau and state telecommunication authorities, regularly compile exact data regarding the number of landlines and wireless subscribers under the 940 area code. According to population statistics for counties within the 940 territory, this area code covers hundreds of thousands of residents and numerous businesses.
Such population coverage underscores the necessity of maintaining adequate numbering capacity. The Public Utility Commission of Texas monitors growth trends and may coordinate with service providers to ensure that future numbering requirements in 940 and neighboring regions are met swiftly and efficiently.
Is the 940 Area Code Toll-Free?
The 940 area code is considered a standard geographic code, not a toll-free designation. Individuals placing calls within the 940 boundaries may incur local or long-distance charges based on their specific phone plans. Toll-free numbers, such as those beginning with 800, 888, or similar three-digit prefixes, are governed separately under Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations for interstate communication.