The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) recently issued a order to indefinitely postpone implementation of the state’s proposed new 564 area code. It cited increased efficiency in the use of available telephone numbers as the reason for the postponement.

The 564 area code was to overlay the geographic area now served by the 206, 253, 425 and 360 area codes. Although only new phone numbers were to have been assigned the 564 area code, existing businesses throughout those areas would have still been affected due to the need to upgrade or reprogram telecommunications equipment and features.