Rappers in the outer boroughs will soon have a new area code to rhyme stuff with. According to a press release, “929” will join “718” and the much-maligned “347” in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. That’s because all the existing phone numbers will be tapped out by 2012, reports Neustar. Wow, those went quick. more ›

A new area code will soon replace 718 and 347, which serve Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx. Thanks to the ever-growing number of cellphone accounts, officials must establish a new three digit code before existing numbers run out for the boroughs in 2012, according to NY1. The digits themselves have not yet been selected. The new area code would be instated on an "overlay plan," meaning old numbers won't be reassigned to the new code. Oh 347, we hardly knew you. more ›

Move over, 646 and 347—there may be new area codes in town. CityRoom reports that the NY Public Service Commission (the same agency that oversees utilities like Con Ed) has issued a report with two options to deal with the shortage of potential 718 and 347 phone numbers to give out to folks for their cellphones, second cellphones, and whatever other devices. Option 1: "A new area code would be superimposed over the same geographic area covered by the existing 718/347 area codes," which covers all boroughs except Manhattan. Option 2: "A new area code would be superimposed over the same geographic area covered by the existing 718/347 area codes, as well as the area covered by the 212, 646 and 917 area codes," meaning the whole city would get the new area code. The PSC is accepting comments from the public. And apparently the 646 will run out of numbers by 2014! Remember when Elaine Benes tried to explain that it wasn't a NJ area code—"No, it's just like 212 except they multiplied every number by 3… and added 1 to the middle number." more ›