Regulators say that residents in Southern California should begin to prepare for a new area code.

The 840 area code will be added to the area including San Bernardino County, eastern LA County, and small portions of Orange and Riverside counties. The new code is to make sure there are enough phone numbers available in the area.

Anyone with a 909 area code will need to dial '1' before long-distance calls.

This will not impact 9-1-1.