Area code 617 – Massachusetts
617 is one of the original area codes, in service across Massachusetts since 1947. 768 of its 786 number blocks are allocated – about 98% full. Verizon is the largest holder with 56.6% of blocks, ahead of Other CLEC / VoIP at 16.5%. It shares its geography with overlay codes 857, so local calls take all ten digits. FTC complaints naming a 617 caller ID totalled 427 in the 33 days to 30 October 2026 (233rd of 422 ranked codes). The dominant complaint type is “Other”.
- State
- Massachusetts
- In service since
- 1947
- Time zone
- Eastern
- Shares area with
- 857
Who holds 617 number blocks
Share of the 768 assigned NXX blocks (97.7% of the 786 possible), across 24 carriers. This is share of number blocks, not of subscribers.
- Verizon56.6%
- AT&T14.2%
- T-Mobile7.6%
- Windstream5.7%
- Lumen5.1%
- Other CLEC / VoIP4.8%
- Bandwidth2.2%
- Onvoy1.6%
- Comcast1.4%
- American Messaging0.4%
- TPx0.3%
- Peerless0.1%
Spam complaints naming 617
FTC Do Not Call complaints where the caller ID was a 617 number, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 (33 days). Caller IDs on spam calls are frequently spoofed, so these are complaints about the code, not calls proven to originate in it.
Rate centers in 617
NANPA allocates number blocks to rate centers and records their names abbreviated to ten characters, so these are NANPA's codes rather than place names – CHAMPAURBN is Champaign-Urbana, NWYRCYZN01 is a New York City zone. We show them unchanged instead of guessing at the full names. Showing the largest 5 of 27.
Timeline
- 1947 617 assigned in the original North American Numbering Plan.
More about 617
Separate pages for the questions that need their own answer: what time it is there, what the complaint data says, who holds the number blocks, and how the code compares with the one it shares its area with.
Frequently asked about 617
What state is area code 617?
Massachusetts. It covers the same area as 617/857.
Can I still get a 617 number?
Only from recycled stock. 768 of the 786 available blocks are already allocated, so new numbers in the area normally come from the overlay codes (617/857).
Is a call from 617 a scam?
Not by itself. 617 drew 427 FTC complaints in the 33 days to 30 October 2026, 233rd of 422 ranked codes – mid-pack or lower. Spam callers spoof caller IDs, so the only useful check is the full number. The most reported category here is “Other”.
Which carrier owns 617 numbers?
Verizon holds the largest share of assigned number blocks at 56.6%. The rest is spread across 3 other carriers. This is share of number blocks, not of subscribers – people keep their numbers when they switch carriers.
Do I need to dial 10 digits in 617?
Yes – ten digits for local calls in 617, because it shares its area with another code.
Sources and verification
- NANPA – NPA Database (npa_report.csv), file date 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- NANPA – CO Code Assignment Records, All States (utilized), file updated 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- FTC – Do Not Call Reported Calls Data, 25 daily files 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
NANPA dialing note for this code: “10D”. Reviewed by the data desk. Spotted an error? Request a correction.