Area code 354 vs 579
354 and 579 are overlay codes: they cover the same ground in Quebec, and a number in one is a local call to the other. 579 is the original, in service since 2010. 354 was added in 2022 because the first was filling up – that is what an overlay is for. Today 354 has 64 of 800 blocks assigned (8.0%) and 579 has 645 of 800 (80.6%), so a new number in the area now almost always comes from 354. 579 appears in the complaint data with 195 complaints in the window; 354 does not appear at all, which is what you would expect of a code that is barely used so far. 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
| 354 | 579 | |
|---|---|---|
| In service since | 2022 | 2010 |
| Region | Quebec | Quebec |
| Blocks assigned | 64 of 800 (8%) | 645 of 800 (80.6%) |
| Largest block holder | Other CLEC / VoIP 42.2% | Other CLEC / VoIP 26.4% |
| Complaints, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 | not in the data | 195 (#344) |
| Rate centers | 54 | 126 |
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 354 and 579?
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 354 and 579?
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 354 or 579?
Whichever has blocks left – currently 354, at 8.0% allocated against 80.6% for the other. Carriers draw from the code with free blocks, which is why the newer code spreads over time.
Is 354 or 579 more likely to be a spam call?
The data does not support a comparison: only one of the two appears in the complaint window.
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: 354 · 579. All codes in Quebec: Quebec area codes.