Area Code 228
Mississippi
Area code 228 serves Mississippi, primarily Gulfport, in the Central Time (CT) time zone. It was created from a split of area code 601.
Split Area Code
This area code was created by splitting an existing area code into separate geographic regions. When a split occurs, some customers in the original area code region are assigned the new area code.
This area code was split from area code 601 (Jackson).
In service since: 15-Sep-1997
Historical Timeline of Area Code 228
Area code 228 was created on September 15, 1997, as a geographic split from Mississippi's original area code 601, covering the Gulf Coast region of Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties. It was the second area code in Mississippi and the 215th assigned in the North American Numbering Plan (Wikipedia). Unlike neighboring area codes 601/769 and 662/471, area code 228 has never received an overlay and continues to support 7-digit local dialing.
Key milestones:
- 1947: Area code 601 created as one of the original 86 North American area codes, serving the entire state of Mississippi.
- September 15, 1997: Area code 228 created as a geographic split from 601, covering Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties along the Gulf Coast. Mississippi PSC approved under FCC delegated authority (47 C.F.R. § 52.19). BellSouth Telecommunications designated as incumbent LEC. One of 43 area codes introduced in 1997; the 215th assigned in the NANP. (AllAreaCodes)
- 1999: Area code 662 created as the second geographic split from 601, covering northern Mississippi.
- 2004: Area code 769 overlaid on 601 for central Mississippi. Mandatory 10-digit dialing began March 14, 2005. Area code 228 was explicitly excluded from this overlay and retained 7-digit local dialing. (NANPA PL-335)
- 2022: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline implementation required 10-digit dialing in areas with 988-XXXX prefixes. Area code 228 retained 7-digit dialing as it does not allocate 988-XXXX prefixes.
- 2024: Mississippi PSC approved all-services distributed overlay for 662 NPA (Docket 2023-AD-0149). A boundary elimination overlay that would have merged 228 with other Mississippi NPAs was rejected. Area code 228 remains unaffected. (Mississippi PSC)
Area code 228's creation in 1997 was driven by telecommunications growth along the Gulf Coast, a region anchored by Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. The Mississippi Public Service Commission exercised authority delegated under 47 C.F.R. § 52.19 to approve the split, following NANPA planning recommendations. The 2024 PSC decision on 662 explicitly preserved 228's boundaries and 7-digit dialing status, confirming no relief planning is needed for this code.
Unique Facts About Area Code 228
Area code 228 has several notable characteristics that distinguish it from other Mississippi area codes. (AllAreaCodes)
- One of 71 area codes with 7-digit dialing: Area code 228 is one of only 71 area codes (out of approximately 472 active) that still permits 7-digit local dialing, fewer than 16% of all active NANP codes. (AllAreaCodes)
- Only Mississippi code without an overlay: Area code 228 is the only area code in Mississippi without an overlay. The 601/769 and 662/471 pairs form overlay complexes requiring 10-digit dialing, while 228 retains 7-digit local calls. (Mississippi PSC)
- Excluded from the 769 overlay: Area code 228 was specifically excluded from the 769 overlay of 601 in 2004, even though both 228 and 601 originated from the same 1947 statewide code. The 601/769 area went to mandatory 10-digit dialing on March 14, 2005, while 228 kept 7-digit. (NANPA PL-335)
- No exhaustion concerns: NANPA exhaustion analysis projects area code 228 will not exhaust until approximately Q4 2109, over 80 years away. No relief planning is underway, and the area code uses only 31.88% of its 800 available prefixes (255 assigned, 545 unassigned). (Wikipedia)
- Boundary elimination rejected: Mississippi PSC rejected a boundary elimination overlay in 2024 that would have merged area code 228 with 601/769 and 662/471 into a single statewide overlay. The simpler 662-only overlay was approved instead, preserving 228's independent status. (Mississippi PSC Docket 2023-AD-0149)
Area code 228 covers three southeastern Mississippi counties along the Gulf Coast: Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. The code was the second area code created in Mississippi (after 601, which dates to 1947) and the 215th assigned in the North American Numbering Plan. It was one of 43 area codes introduced in 1997.
FCC Regulatory History
Area code 228's regulatory history spans four key actions over 27 years, from the FCC's 1997 delegation of numbering authority to state commissions, through the 2024 Mississippi PSC decision that preserved 228's boundaries. The code was created under authority delegated to state commissions under 47 C.F.R. § 52.19, and all subsequent regulatory actions affecting 228 have been handled at the state level by the Mississippi Public Service Commission. (Mississippi PSC)
| Year | Event | Docket | Regulatory Action & Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Delegated authority | CC Docket No. 96-45 | FCC delegated authority to state commissions to implement new area codes under 47 C.F.R. § 52.19. Mississippi PSC used this authority to approve the 601 split creating 228. |
| 1997 | Split approval | NANP-Split of 601 | Mississippi PSC approved the geographic split of area code 601 creating area code 228 for Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties. BellSouth Telecommunications designated as incumbent LEC. (AllAreaCodes) |
| 2004 | 769 overlay exclusion | Docket 2001-AD-68 | MPSC approved all-services distributed overlay of area code 769 on area code 601. Mandatory 10-digit dialing for 601/769 began March 14, 2005. Area code 228 was explicitly excluded. (NANPA PL-335) |
| 2024 | 662 overlay approval | Docket 2023-AD-0149 | MPSC approved all-services distributed overlay for area code 662 (overlay code 471). A boundary elimination alternative that would have merged all Mississippi NPAs including 228 was rejected. Area code 228 remains unaffected. (Mississippi PSC) |
County Coverage
Population-weighted county share based on aggregated ZCTA population (100% = total mapped population for area code 228).
| County | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Harrison, MS | 240,392 | 50.5% |
| Jackson, MS | 168,361 | 35.4% |
| Hancock, MS | 53,614 | 11.3% |
| Stone, MS | 13,830 | 2.9% |
Call Context
This area code covers multiple cities and communities across a broad region in Mississippi. It was created as a geographic split from area code 601, dividing the original territory into separate numbering regions.
Nearby Area Codes
Area codes geographically closest to 228.
Other Area Codes in Mississippi
Area codes that also serve Mississippi, linked for easy comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about area code 228 and how phone numbering works.
Phone numbers are assigned based on where the number was originally provisioned, not the caller's current location. Mobile phones retain their number when users move, and businesses may use numbers from regions where they don't have a physical presence. VoIP services can also provision numbers from virtually any area code.
Yes, mobile phones can have numbers from any area code in the region they were activated. Wireless carriers assign numbers from available pools regardless of phone type. When users change carriers or move to new areas, they typically keep their original number, which may have a different area code than their current location.
Start by looking up the area code on this site to understand its general geographic region. For the specific number, options include using your carrier's caller ID features or checking public directories. If you suspect fraud, you can report it to the FTC. To file a complaint about robocalls or spoofed numbers, visit the FCC Consumer Complaint Center. You can also register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unwanted calls. Keep in mind that caller ID can display any name the caller chooses to set.
Area codes are sometimes "split" when an existing code runs out of available number combinations. In a split, the original territory is divided geographically, with each portion receiving its own area code. This area code was split from area code 601. See our guide on splits and overlays for details.
While Gulfport is a prominent city in this area code's coverage, the code serves the broader surrounding region as well. Area codes are assigned geographically and typically cover multiple cities, towns, and communities beyond any single anchor city.
The estimated total population served by area code 228 is based on aggregated U.S. Census Bureau data for the counties within this area code. The population varies significantly between dense urban codes serving millions and rural codes covering smaller populations. You can find the specific population figure in the demographics section above.