Area code
870
870 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Arkansas, which has 4 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 870
Paste a full number and the tool checks it against the numbering plan. It returns the standard formats, the line type the plan assigns and the area code region.
Digits with or without punctuation work. Numbers outside the US are read with the +country code.
Area code 870 at a glance
NANPA lists 785 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 870, held by 56 holders across 245 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1997-04-14 |
| Time zone | Central (C) |
| Assigned overlays | 327 (2024-02-20) |
| Prefixes in use | 785 |
| Pooled prefixes | 594 (76%) |
| Rate centers | 245 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 56 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-23 to 2025-12-15 (328 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 207 |
Rate centers in area code 870
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| JONESBORO | 46 | 6% |
| PINE BLUFF | 45 | 6% |
| EL DORADO | 24 | 3% |
| HARRISON | 18 | 2% |
| BLYTHEVL | 15 | 2% |
| PARAGOULD | 14 | 2% |
| ARKADLPHIA | 13 | 2% |
| MT HOME | 13 | 2% |
| 237 other rate centers | 597 | 76% |
Who holds the prefixes in 870
Southwestern Bell holds the most prefixes, 154 (20%). 76% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Bell | 154 | 20% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 107 | 14% |
| Verizon Wireless | 85 | 11% |
| Windstream Arkansas | 72 | 9% |
| Level 3 Communications | 47 | 6% |
| Brightspeed Of Central Arkansas | 44 | 6% |
| 50 other carriers | 276 | 35% |
A prefix holder is the company a code was assigned to, not necessarily a number's current carrier, because numbers can be ported to another company. Find which carrier a number is on, or browse the prefix holders.
History of area code 870
- 1947-01-01 Area code 501, named as the parent of 870 in the NANPA report, was in service.
- 1997-04-14 Area code 870 went into service.
- 2024-02-20 Area code 327 went into service as an overlay in the same area as 870.
Area codes nearest to 870
Distance is measured between the centers of the ZIP code places each area code serves, so it is a rough guide.
Overlay codes in the same area
- 327
ZIP codes in area code 870
207 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Jonesboro, AR | 5 |
| Pine Bluff, AR | 4 |
| Monticello, AR | 3 |
A ZIP code and an area code are unrelated systems. A ZIP code can sit in more than one area code, and an area code spans many ZIP codes.
Complaints on file for 870 numbers
1,377 FCC complaints are on file for 1,177 numbers in 870, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 81 |
| 2024 | 55 |
| 2025 | 57 |
Other area codes in Arkansas
Arkansas is one state with 4 area codes in the NANPA table. 870 is one of them.
Next to 870 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 870 when all are sorted by number. They are neighbours on the list, not necessarily on the map.
What the area code does and does not tell you
A number that starts with 870 was first assigned in Arkansas. That is a fact about where the number began, and it is a useful hint when you check a form entry, for example a billing address in Arkansas next to a 870 phone number.
It does not show where the person is today. A number stays with its owner after a move or a change of provider (number portability), and mobile numbers travel with the handset. The area code also cannot tell you whether the line is active, who the carrier is, or whether the number is mobile or fixed: the plan shares those ranges. Read more about the area code, the numbering plan and line type.
Check numbers in bulk with the API
| Product | Credits | Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Numbering-Plan Validation | 1 credit per valid number | API docs |
| Phone Intelligence (carrier and line status) | 1 credit per check (invalid numbers outside the US and Canada are free) | Product page |
Questions about area code 870
Where is area code 870?
NANPA assigns area code 870 to Arkansas, United States.
In which state does area code 870 sit?
Arkansas. 870 is one of 4 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 870 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 870 are Jonesboro, AR, Pine Bluff, AR and Monticello, AR. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 870?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 870, Southwestern Bell holds the most prefixes, 154 prefixes or 20%.
Which time zone does 870 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 870 as Central (C).
What year did 870 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1997-04-14, so 870 has been in use since 1997.
Does area code 870 have an overlay?
Yes. 327 (in service 2024-02-20) shares the same area with 870, so numbers from all of them are local to each other.
Which area codes are nearest to 870?
The area codes closest to 870, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 501 (about 16 miles), 901 (about 121 miles), 479 (about 122 miles), 662 (about 155 miles) and 417 (about 181 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 870 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 785 prefixes in service in 870, spread over 245 rate centers and 56 holders.
Are there complaints about 870 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 1,377 complaints for 1,177 numbers in 870. They are unverified consumer reports. A number with no complaints on file is not proven safe.
Area code assignments: North American Numbering Plan Administrator NPA report, file dated 10/17/2026, retrieved 2026-10-17. Source file. New codes are assigned several times a year. Prefixes, rate centers, holders, time zone, in-service date and overlays: NANPA central office code report dated 2026-10-17 and NPA report dated 2026-10-18. Complaints: FCC consumer complaints open data, fetched 2026-10-17. ZIP code places: Postal code places and coordinates: GeoNames (geonames.org), licensed CC BY 4.0.