State mulls options for new Long Island area code

State officials are reviewing their options and asking for public input before implementing a new area code on Long Island.
The 631 area code is slated to exhaust its supply of assignable phone numbers by 2016. To accommodate new phone customers, the state is examining two different plans.
The first would create a new area code that would be available to new customers. Residents and businesses who already have phone numbers would not be affected, but Long Islanders who seek to obtain new or additional phone numbers could be assigned the new area code.
The second option would be based on a "geographic split" that would break Suffolk County up into two area codes. Residents west of a line drawn from Smithtown to Islip would keep their current numbers, while residents to the east of the line would be assigned new numbers.
The state Public Service Commission has recommended the "new code for new customers" plan. The commission noted that the geographic split option would impact businesses by forcing them to change numbers.
The state is asking the public to submit comments on the proposals through Nov. 7 before a final decision is made.