Phone Overlays

Now that the California PUC has voted to scrap the 310 area code overlay (Sept. 17) this would be a good time to put in place what should have been done before: Designate a separate code for cell and fax phones.

Phone companies have the technology to utilize one code for home and office telephones and another for other uses. Hundreds of thousands of 310 codes would be freed up. Converting existing and new pagers, fax and mobile telephones exclusively to the 424 code would create unlimited number access. We could then identify, in response to a caller’s message, what type phone we’re trying to reach. This could also work in other areas.

DON A. NORMAN

Los Angeles

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The foolish uproar over the 310 area code overlay and 11-digit dialing for local calls is like that over the diamond lane in the early ‘70s. Both are inevitable effects of population growth. In both cases, people blocked an attempt to deal with it and then patted themselves on the back for their victory. The diamond lane has become accepted and so will area code overlays and 11-digit dialing for local calls.

I say attack the root cause, population growth, before it’s too late. It’s causing real problems; for example, a significant increase this year in traffic on the San Diego and Ventura freeways.

JAMES M. KALLIS

Los Angeles