Where is Area Code 706?
Area code 706 covers a significant portion of northern and western Georgia in the United States. It encompasses both large urban centers and smaller communities. The area stretches from the northern end of Georgia’s border with Tennessee down toward the central part of the state. The following major cities fall within the 706 service region:
- Augusta
- Columbus
- Athens
- Rome
- Martinez
Several counties in this region include Muscogee County, Clarke County, Floyd County, and Whitfield County, among others. Residents in these areas rely on 706 for regular telecommunications services such as landlines, mobile lines, and fax. Oversight of telephone number allocation in the state of Georgia is provided by the Georgia Public Service Commission resources ((Georgia Public Service Commission, 244 Washington Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30334)). Further federal guidelines regarding area code administration can be found on the FCC official guidelines website ((Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554)).
What time zone is 706 area code in the USA?
The 706 area code region operates under the Eastern Time Zone (ET). This time zone observes Daylight Saving Time (DST), which typically begins in March and ends in November. During DST, the region adjusts clocks forward by one hour to take advantage of longer daylight hours in the warmer months. After DST concludes, clocks revert to Standard Time, which offers more daylight in the morning hours during late fall and winter. Individuals and businesses in the 706 area code, including those in Muscogee County and Clarke County, should remain aware of these time changes to ensure accurate scheduling and telecommunications usage.
History of the 706 Area Code
Area code 706 was established in 1992 as part of a split from Georgia’s original 404 area code. The primary reason for the split was the increasing population and growing demand for additional telephone numbers in the state at that time. Previously, much of Georgia fell under 404, but self-sustained growth in both residential and commercial telephone usage led regulators, including the Georgia Public Service Commission resources, to determine that an additional code was necessary.
In 2006, to further accommodate demand for phone numbers, the 762 overlay was introduced to new lines within the same geographic area. This overlay meant that residents and businesses in the 706 region sharing the same territory would now also be assigned telephone numbers in the 762 area code. For instance, some blocks of phone numbers for utilities or government offices in areas such as Athens or Dalton would come under 762 instead of 706.
How Many People Use the 706 Area Code?
Area code 706 covers a population in the millions, with the central hub around Columbus and its surrounding counties accounting for a substantial share.Estimates indicate that more than 0.5 million residents and numerous businesses rely on this code or its overlay for telecommunications. .
Is the 706 Area Code Toll-Free?
The 706 area code is a geographic code, not a toll-free number range. Toll-free area codes in the United States are generally 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833. Calls placed to or from the 706 area are typically subject to standard regional or long-distance rates, depending on individual phone service plans. Certain local calling rules may apply, especially in cities where an overlay area code coexists. For instance, local calls within the same city or county might only require a seven-digit dial, whereas other calls might require 1+ ten-digit dialing.