Area code 289 vs 742
289 and 742 are overlay codes: they cover the same ground in Ontario, and a number in one is a local call to the other. 289 is the original, in service since 2001. 742 was added in 2021 because the first was filling up – that is what an overlay is for. Today 289 has 772 of 800 blocks assigned (96.5%) and 742 has 149 of 800 (18.6%), so a new number in the area now almost always comes from 742. In the 33 days to 30 October 2026, 289 drew 401 FTC complaints against 6 for 742 – 250th and 413th of 422 ranked codes. Older codes are spoofed more because they look more established. Neither code is better or safer than the other. They are the same geography, the same carriers and the same dialing rules; the difference is only how long each has existed and how full it is.
Side by side
| 289 | 742 | |
|---|---|---|
| In service since | 2001 | 2021 |
| Region | Ontario | Ontario |
| Blocks assigned | 772 of 800 (96.5%) | 149 of 800 (18.6%) |
| Largest block holder | Other CLEC / VoIP 25.9% | Other CLEC / VoIP 51% |
| Complaints, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 | 401 (#250) | 6 (#413) |
| Rate centers | 87 | 68 |
Block share is allocation by the numbering administrator, not subscribers. Complaint counts cover 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 and measure how often each code is spoofed on caller ID.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between area codes 289 and 742?
None geographically – they overlay the same area, so the difference is age and how many numbers are left.
Do I need to dial the area code between 289 and 742?
Yes. Overlay areas use ten-digit dialing for local calls, including between the two codes. Seven digits reaches a recording.
Will a new number be 289 or 742?
Whichever has blocks left – currently 742, at 18.6% allocated against 96.5% for the other. Carriers draw from the code with free blocks, which is why the newer code spreads over time.
Is 289 or 742 more likely to be a spam call?
On the complaint data, 289 appears more often. But spoofing drives those counts, so this is about which code gets imitated, not which numbers are real.
Sources
- NANPA – NPA Database (npa_report.csv), file date 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Canadian Numbering Administrator – CO Code Status, data date 2026-10-31, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- FTC – Do Not Call Reported Calls Data, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Each code on its own: 289 · 742. All codes in Ontario: Ontario area codes.