The Alabama Public Service Commission approved the addition of area code 659 to western central Alabama. 

The new area code will exist alongside and cover the same geographic area as the 205 area code.

Information on what cities will be impacted and a timeline for action have not been released. 

Neustar Inc., which serves as the FCC’s North American Numbering Plan Administrator, is coordinating with the Alabama telecommunications industry to implement the additional area code.

All existing customers will keep the 205 area code and will not need to change numbers, but once 659 has been put in service, everyone in the area will be required to dial 10 digits.

Source: "Additional area code coming for western central Alabama" Birmingham Business Journal (August 21, 2018)