The area code was created on August 1, 2000 in a three-way split of area code 912,[2] which had served the southern half of Georgia for forty-six years. Savannah and the eastern portion retained area code 912, while Macon and the northern portion were assigned to area code 478. A one-year permissive dialing period was in effect until August 1, 2001 for ten-digit dialing into the numbering plan area, but several local routes remained available with seven-digit dialing.[3]
Projections of October 2021 indicated that the area code is not expected to need relief until 2029.[4]
Service area
The service area comprises following Georgia counties: