Area code 782 vs 902
782 and 902 are overlay codes: they cover the same ground in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and a number in one is a local call to the other. 902 is the original, in service since 1947. 782 was added in 2014 because the first was filling up – that is what an overlay is for. Today 782 has 465 of 800 blocks assigned (58.1%) and 902 has 782 of 800 (97.8%), so a new number in the area now almost always comes from 782. In the 33 days to 30 October 2026, 902 drew 362 FTC complaints against 121 for 782 – 270th and 370th of 422 ranked codes. Older codes are spoofed more because they look more established. 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
| 782 | 902 | |
|---|---|---|
| In service since | 2014 | 1947 |
| Region | Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island | Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island |
| Blocks assigned | 465 of 800 (58.1%) | 782 of 800 (97.8%) |
| Largest block holder | – | Other CLEC / VoIP 46.2% |
| Complaints, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 | 121 (#370) | 362 (#270) |
| Rate centers | 143 | 176 |
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 782 and 902?
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 782 and 902?
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 782 or 902?
Whichever has blocks left – currently 782, at 58.1% allocated against 97.8% for the other. Carriers draw from the code with free blocks, which is why the newer code spreads over time.
Is 782 or 902 more likely to be a spam call?
On the complaint data, 902 appears more often. But spoofing drives those counts, so this is about which code gets imitated, not which numbers are real.
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: 782 · 902. All codes in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island: Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island area codes.