Frequently Asked Questions
Area code 207 is the single area code serving the entire state of Maine.
Area code 207 was implemented in 1947 as one of the original North American Numbering Plan (NANP) area codes.
Due to effective number management practices like number pooling, Maine has been able to avoid splitting or overlaying its area code, resulting in the entire state remaining under area code 207.
As of November 2023, the projected exhaust date for area code 207 is the first quarter of 2027.
There are approximately 7.92 million possible phone numbers within area code 207.
The utilization rate for area code 207 is approximately 62%.
The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) is responsible for overseeing telecommunications services and area code 207 in Maine.
10-digit dialing (area code + 7-digit number) is required for all calls within area code 207.
Area code 207 supports landline, wireless, and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services.
Major carriers in Maine include Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, with other smaller carriers making up the remaining market share.
Number pooling, implemented in 2001, helps extend the lifespan of area code 207 by allocating numbers in smaller blocks to maximize utilization.
Key milestones include the introduction of area code 207 in 1947, the implementation of number pooling in 2001, and the extension of the exhaust projection in 2020.
The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) website is a valuable resource for information on area code 207 regulations.
Maine uses area code 207 for the entire state. Established in 1947, it's one of the original North American Numbering Plan (NANP) area codes and has remarkably remained the sole area code for Maine.
Maine's efficient number management has allowed it to retain a single area code, 207, since 1947. While other states have adopted multiple area codes due to number exhaustion, Maine has implemented strategies like number pooling to extend the lifespan of 207.
You must use 10-digit dialing for all calls within area code 207. This includes dialing both the area code and the seven-digit phone number, regardless of your location within Maine. This rule was implemented to accommodate potential future area code changes.
Area code 207 is projected to exhaust its available numbers in the first quarter of 2027. This is based on current usage trends and underscores the need for continued number management strategies by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC).
The current utilization rate for area code 207 is 62%. This means that over half of the approximately 7.92 million available phone numbers are already in use, highlighting the effectiveness of number pooling and other conservation efforts.
All cities in Maine use area code 207. This includes major cities such as Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, and Augusta. The single area code simplifies dialing across the state.
Verizon holds the largest market share in Maine at 35%, followed by AT&T at 30%, and T-Mobile at 20%. Other smaller carriers make up the remaining 15% of the market share.
Area code 207 supports landline, wireless, and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone services. This variety allows residents and businesses to choose the option that best suits their needs and location.
The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing telecommunications services, including the management of area code 207, in Maine. They ensure adherence to NANPA regulations and establish dialing requirements.
Number pooling, implemented in Maine in 2001, is a number management strategy that allocates numbers in smaller blocks to maximize utilization. This helped extend the lifespan of area code 207 and delay number exhaustion.
Area code 207 was established in 1947 as one of the original North American Numbering Plan (NANP) area codes. This marked a significant step in standardizing the North American telecommunications system.
Area Code 207: Maine Phone Numbers, Coverage & Dialing Guide
What Is Area Code 207?
Area code 207 is Maine's only telephone area code, covering the entire state within the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). Maine has maintained 207 as its single area code since 1947 – one of only 11 U.S. states with a single area code. Whether you're looking up a 207 phone number, need dialing instructions, or want to understand Maine's telecommunications system, this guide covers technical specifications, coverage areas, conservation efforts, and regulatory requirements.
Where Is Area Code 207? Maine Coverage Map & Cities
Area code 207 covers 100% of Maine, from coastal cities like Portland and Bangor to rural communities throughout the state. The 207 coverage area includes all 16 Maine counties and 249 rate centers.
Which Cities and Towns Use Area Code 207?
All Maine cities and towns use 207 phone numbers:
Population figures from U.S. Census Bureau estimates (July 1, 2024)
Additional cities with 207 numbers: Sanford, Saco, Westbrook, Waterville, Presque Isle, Bath, Old Orchard Beach, Brewer, Caribou, York, Kennebunk, Scarborough, Falmouth, Gorham, Cape Elizabeth, and all other Maine municipalities.
Statewide coverage simplifies dialing but creates unique number conservation challenges.
How to Dial Area Code 207 Phone Numbers
Dialing Within Maine (Local Calls)
For all local calls within Maine, use 10-digit dialing:
Dialing 207 Numbers from Outside Maine
From other U.S. states or Canada:
International Calls to Area Code 207
From outside North America:
Ten-digit dialing became mandatory in Maine to accommodate potential future area code changes and ensure consistent call routing across the NANP.
Technical Specifications of Area Code 207
Understanding the technical foundation of Maine's telephone numbering system:
Maine avoids the complexity of overlays or splits used in states facing number exhaustion.
How Many Phone Numbers Are Available in Area Code 207?
Current Number Availability Statistics (2025)
Utilization data from NANPA Number Resource Utilization/Forecast (NRUF) reports, published semi-annually in April and October. Current projection from Maine Public Utilities Commission.
Why Does Maine Face a Phone Number Shortage Despite Low Usage?
Despite only 38% actual usage, Maine faced number exhaustion due to inefficient allocation practices. Carriers historically received numbers in 10,000-number blocks per rate center, reserving far more numbers than they assigned to customers. This created artificial scarcity even at low utilization rates.
The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) addressed this through historic rate center consolidation approved on November 25, 2024, directly reducing wasted allocation and potentially extending area code 207's life indefinitely.
When Will Area Code 207 Run Out? Exhaust Timeline
The projected exhaust date has shifted dramatically through conservation efforts:
What Phone Companies Service Area Code 207 in Maine?
Major Carriers Serving Area Code 207
Carrier market share in Maine (approximate distribution):
Regional providers include: Consolidated Communications, Spectrum Mobile, US Cellular, Consumer Cellular, and various local carriers.
Types of Phone Service Available
Choose from three service categories with 207 numbers:
VoIP Provider Registration Requirements
Effective October 25, 2023, Title 35-A MRSA §7110 requires interconnected VoIP (I-VoIP) providers to:
Legal Authority:
NANPA Reporting: Under FCC rules, all number holders (including carriers and VoIP providers) must file Number Resource Utilization/Forecast (NRUF) reports on February 1 and August 1 each year. These reports provide the utilization data NANPA uses for exhaust projections.
What the MPUC Regulates
MPUC regulates Provider of Last Resort (POLR) service – flat-rate voice-grade access offered by incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) like Consolidated Communications. Non-POLR offerings (wireless, VoIP) face minimal rate regulation under Maine telecommunications law.
Area Code 207 History & Conservation Milestones
Key Events in Maine's Area Code Timeline
Maine's area code 207 has survived through strategic conservation efforts:
What Is Rate Center Consolidation?
Rate center consolidation combines multiple geographic rate centers into one, allowing carriers to access number blocks across larger areas instead of requesting separate blocks for each small rate center. This dramatically improves number allocation efficiency.
Maine's 2024 consolidation impact:
Will Maine Get a Second Area Code?
Based on current projections and conservation efforts, Maine is unlikely to need a second area code until at least 2033, and potentially never with continued optimization.
What Would Happen If 207 Runs Out?
If area code 207 exhausts, the MPUC and NANPA would implement one of these solutions:
Option 1: Area Code Overlay
Option 2: Geographic Split
Option 3: Number Plan Expansion
Maine strongly prefers conservation over any of these options to preserve the cultural and economic value of the single 207 area code.
National Impact of Maine's Conservation Strategy
How Maine's Efforts Affect the North American Numbering Plan
Maine's conservation strategies affect the broader NANP:
Maine's rate center consolidation model could guide other states facing similar challenges, potentially delaying NANP-wide expansion by years.
Other States with Single Area Codes
Maine is one of only 11 U.S. states maintaining a single area code in 2025:
Single area code status provides cultural identity, marketing advantages, and simplified dialing for residents and businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 207
Is 207 the only area code in Maine?
Yes, area code 207 is Maine's only area code. It has served the entire state since 1947, making Maine one of only 11 states with a single area code. There are no overlay codes or regional splits.
When will area code 207 run out of numbers?
According to the Maine Public Utilities Commission (April 2025 data), area code 207 is expected to exhaust in Q4 2033. The November 25, 2024 rate center consolidation could potentially extend this indefinitely through improved number allocation efficiency.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for local calls in Maine?
Yes, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for all calls within Maine. You must dial 207 + the 7-digit phone number, even for local calls within the same city. This requirement prepares for potential future area code changes.
What percentage of 207 phone numbers are in use?
As of 2025, approximately 38% of the 8 million available numbers are actively in use (~3 million numbers), according to MPUC and NANPA data. Despite this moderate utilization, inefficient historical allocation practices created artificial scarcity by tying up numbers in large blocks.
Which cities use area code 207?
All cities and towns in Maine use area code 207, including: Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, South Portland, Auburn, Biddeford, Augusta, Brunswick, Sanford, Saco, Westbrook, Waterville, Presque Isle, Bath, and every other Maine municipality. There are no regional divisions.
Can I get a 207 phone number if I live outside Maine?
Yes, VoIP service providers can issue 207 numbers to customers outside Maine. However, as of October 25, 2023, VoIP providers must register with the Maine Public Utilities Commission under Title 35-A MRSA §7110 before obtaining number blocks.
What is rate center consolidation and how does it help?
Rate center consolidation combines multiple rate centers into one administrative area, allowing more efficient number allocation. On November 25, 2024, the MPUC approved Consolidated Communications' consolidation of 135 rate centers to one – the largest consolidation of its kind in the U.S. This frees thousands of previously trapped numbers for reuse.
What time zone is area code 207?
Area code 207 operates in the Eastern Time Zone (ET). Maine observes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) in winter and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4) during daylight saving months.
How do I look up who owns a 207 phone number?
Use reverse phone lookup services like WhitePages, TrueCaller, or Spokeo to identify 207 number owners. For business numbers, search the number directly in search engines or check business directories. The MPUC does not provide public number ownership databases.
Are 207 numbers being ported to other area codes?
No, 207 numbers remain associated with Maine regardless of where the user physically lives. Number portability allows users to keep their 207 numbers when changing carriers, but the area code itself identifies the number's Maine origin within the NANP system.
How do I get a 207 phone number?
You can obtain a 207 phone number through any phone service provider operating in Maine, including wireless carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile), landline providers (Consolidated Communications), or VoIP services (RingCentral, Vonage, Ooma). VoIP providers must register with the Maine Public Utilities Commission before obtaining 207 number blocks. Contact your preferred provider to request a new 207 number during service activation.
Is area code 207 toll free?
No, area code 207 is not toll free. It is a standard geographic area code for Maine. Calls to 207 numbers are billed according to your phone plan's long-distance or local calling rates. Toll-free area codes in North America include 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833.
What other Maine phone numbers or calling codes exist?
Maine uses only area code 207 for all phone numbers. There are no additional area codes, overlays, or regional calling codes within Maine. All Maine telephone numbers follow the format 207-XXX-XXXX.
Key Takeaways
Official Resources & Regulatory Information
For the most current information on Maine phone regulations, area code resources, and numbering policies, consult these authoritative sources: