There will be a new 353 area code in Southern Wisconsin next month

There will be a new 353 area code going into effect for some Southern Wisconsin phone customers next month.

It will be assigned to customers who are requesting new phone service or an additional line. The 353 area code will cover parts of the 608 area code region, including Madison, Beloit, Janesville, Monroe, La Crosse, Platteville, and Wisconsin Dells.

The new 353 area code should be set-up for use by September 15, according to Public Service Commission of Wisconsin officials. The PSC is the agency overseeing the state’s utilities.

If you have an existing 608 number, you will keep your number, and the price of a call will not change when you have to use the new area code.

Customers will continue to dial just three digits to reach 911 for emergencies, as well as 211 for community information, 311 which is non-emergency, 411 for directory assistance, 511 to get traffic and transportation information, 611 for repair services, 711 is the telecommunications relay service number, 811 for calls to protect pipeline and utilities, and 988, the new Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Officials say the 608 area code is expected to run out of assignable prefixes which are the three numbers of a phone number following the area code.

This is not the first region to use two area codes. North and northwestern Wisconsin uses 715 and 534, while the Green Bay area and other eastern parts of the state are assigned 920 and 274.