SALEM, Ore. -- A public utility commission approved a new area code for Oregon residents Tuesday.

Beginning in 2010, the new 458 area code will serve the same geographic area as the current 541 area code, which includes the southern, central and eastern portions of the state.

The 541 area code was in danger of running out of telephone numbers until the Oregon Public Utility Commission's decision, which will ensure enough telephone numbers for 24 more years, officials said.

All residents with existing 541 area codes will retain their phone number, but new telephone customers for local phone service, cellular, paging and alarms will receive the 458 area code after it is implemented.

During a six-month grace period, residents will still be able to use seven-digit dialing. After that point, ten-digit dialing will become mandatory in the 541 area code.

If Oregon did not adopt a new area code, it would have run out of numbers in 2011.

The 541 area code was created in 1995 and the commission added a 971 code to the 503 region five years later. The North American Numbering Plan Administration assigns the area code, as it does all across the country.

The commission also provided the following key facts:

Customers will not have to change their telephone numbers.

Local calls in the 541 area code will require dialing 10 digits.

Local calls will remain local and long-distance calls will remain long-distance.

It will not affect 911 calls.

There are no additional costs.