Area codes 876 and 658 are the local telephone area codes of Jamaica. The first area code, 876, was created during a split from the original 809 area code. Permissive dialing began 1 May 1997 and ended 1 May 1998.
Area code 876 serves the country's two mobile operators - Cable and Wireless/Liberty Global (marketed as FLOW Jamaica) and Digicel. Also served by area code 876 is the country's main landline provider, FLOW, as well as other smaller landline players like Digicel (which provides landline over its fibre network called Digicel Play).
The area code (876) is not a toll-free number and calls from any other area code are billed at international long distance rates.
Local calls within Jamaica are seven digits.
Calls outside Jamaica to the US and Canada are typically heavily discounted. FLOW Jamaica charges $2.99 JMD or $0.02 USD per minute for calls to all numbers in the USA and Canada as standard. The rate goes lower to $1.99 JMD or 1 cent USD for postpaid subscribers or those with an active data plan. Digicel charges similar rates as well but standard rates are around $17.70 JMD or $0.14 USD per minute without an international calling plan.
Calls to Jamaica from anywhere in the NANP area are 1-876 + seven digit phone number.
Jamaica will expand to 10-digit dialling, for local telephone calls, come May 31, 2018. This is as a result of Jamaica's new area code assignment of 658.
Video Area codes 876 and 658
Relief
On 15 September 2016, the Office of Utility Regulation in Jamaica announced that an all-services overlay, by area code 658, would be implemented in 2018 to provide relief as the 876 code is nearing exhaustion. Permissive 10-digit dialing will be in effect from 31 May, becoming mandatory on 30 October 2018, and the new 658 code will be activated as early as 30 November 2018.
Maps Area codes 876 and 658
Fraud
The 876 area code has been linked to a form of telephone fraud known as the "one ring scam". The person perpetuating the scam calls the victim via a robodialer or similar means, sometimes at odd hours of the night, then hangs up when the phone is answered with the hope that they will be curious enough to call the number back. When the victim does this, an automatic $19.95 international call fee is charged to their account, as well as $9.00/min thereafter. Similar scams have been linked to Grenada (area code 473), Antigua (268), the Dominican Republic (809, 829, and 849), and the British Virgin Islands (284).
See also
- List of NANP area codes
- North American Numbering Plan
- Area codes in the Caribbean
References
External links
- Quick on lotto scam bill, slow on crime cure - Jamaica Gleaner
- North American Numbering Plan Administrator
- List of exchanges from AreaCodeDownload.com, 876 Area Code
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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