Area code 978 – Massachusetts
978 has served Massachusetts since 1997, split from 508. 773 of its 786 number blocks are allocated – about 98% full. Verizon is the largest holder with 44.5% of blocks, ahead of Other CLEC / VoIP at 20.3%. It shares its geography with overlay codes 351, so local calls take all ten digits. FTC complaints naming a 978 caller ID totalled 460 in the 33 days to 30 October 2026 (223rd of 422 ranked codes).
- State
- Massachusetts
- In service since
- 1997
- Time zone
- Eastern
- Shares area with
- 351
Who holds 978 number blocks
Share of the 773 assigned NXX blocks (98.3% of the 786 possible), across 30 carriers. This is share of number blocks, not of subscribers.
- Verizon44.5%
- Windstream11.6%
- Lumen11.4%
- AT&T9.6%
- T-Mobile7.9%
- Bandwidth4.1%
- Comcast3%
- Other CLEC / VoIP2.8%
- Onvoy2.6%
- Peerless1.6%
- American Messaging0.4%
- TPx0.3%
- Charter0.3%
Spam complaints naming 978
FTC Do Not Call complaints where the caller ID was a 978 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 978
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 58.
Timeline
- 1997 978 goes into service, split from or overlaid on 508.
More about 978
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 978
What state is area code 978?
Massachusetts. It covers the same area as 351/978.
Can I still get a 978 number?
Only from recycled stock. 773 of the 786 available blocks are already allocated, so new numbers in the area normally come from the overlay codes (351/978).
Is a call from 978 a scam?
Not by itself. 978 drew 460 FTC complaints in the 33 days to 30 October 2026, 223rd of 422 ranked codes – mid-pack or lower. Spam callers spoof caller IDs, so the only useful check is the full number.
Which carrier owns 978 numbers?
Verizon holds the largest share of assigned number blocks at 44.5%. 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 978?
Yes – ten digits for local calls in 978, 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.