Get a 236 Area Code Local Virtual Number for British Columbia Get a 236 area code virtual number for your business in British Columbia. Strengthen your local presence, build customer trust, and ensure seamless communication with a dependable virtual phone number. Sign upRequest a Demo Endorsed by top industry leaders Trusted by industry experts for excellence and innovation. What is the 236 Area Code? The 236 area code is a Canadian area code assigned to the province of British Columbia. It covers major cities and communities, including Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey, Kelowna, Burnaby, and Kamloops. The 236 area code was introduced as an overlay to provide additional phone numbers to the regions already served by area codes 604, 250, and 778. It is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) and ensures continued number availability across British Columbia. The province operates within the Pacific Time Zone (PT) — UTC-8 during standard time and UTC-7 during daylight saving time. Country Canada Province British Columbia City Vancouver Time Zone Pacific Time Zone Telephone Number Format +1 (236) XXX-XXXX Example of 236 Number +1 (236) 987-6543 Where is the 236 Area Code? The 236 area code spans the entire province of British Columbia, Canada. As an overlay area code, it does not replace any other area code but rather coexists with 604, 250, and 778. This allows the region to accommodate a higher volume of phone numbers without changing existing numbers. Because it’s an overlay, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for all local calls. This ensures residents and businesses across British Columbia maintain seamless telephone connectivity. A Brief History of the 236 Area Code The 236 area code was officially activated on June 1, 2013, following approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). It was introduced to address the growing need for new telephone numbers in British Columbia due to population growth and the rise of mobile devices. The province had previously introduced overlays like 778 to support the 604 and 250 area codes. As those resources approached exhaustion, 236 was launched as an additional solution. It became British Columbia’s fourth area code and forms part of a multi-code overlay that continues to support demand in both urban and rural regions. How to get a 236 Area Code Phone Number? You can purchase a 236 area code phone number from a VoIP service provider like Dialaxy. Follow these steps: Sign up on the official Dialaxy website or mobile app. Log in to your Dialaxy account. Navigate to “My Number” under the “Portal” menu. Click on “Buy Number.” Choose Canada as your country and search for the 236 area code. Complete payment and submit any required verification documents. How does a 236 Area Code Business Phone Number work? A 236 area code business phone number uses VoIP technology to link businesses to customers across British Columbia. Calls are made using a 10-digit dialing system and function across multiple digital devices. Local Presence Establishes your brand in key BC cities like Vancouver and Victoria. Internet-Based Communication Make and receive calls via smartphones, desktops, or tablets using your 236 number. Call Routing Intelligent call routing connects customers to the right person or department. Seamless Accessibility You can serve British Columbia customers even if your business operates from elsewhere. Value-Added Features Dialaxy includes tools like call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, SMS, and call analytics. Dialing a 236 Number Country Code (1): Indicates Canada Area Code (236): Directs the call to British Columbia Local Exchange (e.g., 987): A 3-digit regional identifier Subscriber Number (e.g., 6543): A unique 4-digit number. Who’s doing business in the 236 Area Code? The 236 area code serves a diverse economy across British Columbia. Major industries include: Technology & Software Development British Columbia is a growing tech hub, with companies like Hootsuite and Clio operating from Vancouver. A local 236 number helps tech businesses connect with clients and talent. Tourism & Travel From Whistler to Victoria, BC, is a global tourist destination. A 236 number supports businesses in the hospitality and tour sectors with easier local communication. Retail & E-Commerce With strong consumer markets in cities like Burnaby and Surrey, a 236 number gives local appeal to online businesses and brick-and-mortar retailers alike. Film & Entertainment Known as “Hollywood North,” British Columbia’s film industry relies on efficient coordination. A 236 number supports production houses and casting agencies with direct access to local talent and vendors. Healthcare & Medical Services British Columbia hosts leading healthcare institutions like Vancouver General Hospital. Clinics and health service providers benefit from a 236 number by making care more accessible to patients. Forestry & Natural Resources Resource-based industries still drive BC’s rural economy. A 236 number helps companies maintain regional connections while expanding globally. Why Does Your Business Need a 236 Area Code Number? Strengthened Customer Engagement A 236 area code number builds trust by giving customers in British Columbia a familiar and local feel. People are more likely to reach out when they recognize the area code, knowing your business understands their local needs. Boosting Brand Reliability Having a 236 number shows your business is part of the local BC market. Customers associate local numbers with stability and reliability, helping establish your business as trustworthy and well-rooted. Localizing Your Business Presence Using a 236 area code helps create a strong local presence in BC. It signals that your services are nearby and accessible—especially important for industries like real estate, healthcare, and local services. Avoiding Long-Distance Charges With a 236 number, BC-based customers can reach out without long-distance fees. This removes a communication barrier and encourages more inbound calls from potential clients. Lowering Call Costs A local 236 number helps you reduce call expenses. Customers and businesses alike save on charges compared to long-distance numbers, making communication smoother and more affordable. Improving Brand Visibility The 236 area code makes your brand more memorable across British Columbia. A local and recognizable number increases your chances of repeat business and referrals from satisfied customers. Enjoy 100+ Dialaxy’s features with local phone number Call, SMS, & Contact in one easy to use app. Phone Numbers Global Calling SMS Voicemail Number Sharing Contacts All Features Phone Numbers Expand your reach with Virtual Phone Numbers International Numbers: Establish a local presence of your business with our international phone numbers . Toll Free Numbers: Elevate your sales strategy and drive business growth with Toll Free Numbers. Multiple Phone Numbers: Use multiple phone numbers in one single dashboard. Explore our apps Global Calling Connect globally with effortless calls Extended Reach: Enables businesses to expand their market by reaching international customers. Flexibility: Allows employees to make international calls from anywhere. Seamless Communication: Ensures clear and reliable communication with international contacts. Learn More SMS Enhance communication with SMS capabilities A2P 10DLC: Register your number in A2P 10DLC to send sms within US and Canada. Schedule SMS: Schedule SMS as per your customer timezone so they don’t miss an update. Personalised Messaging: Personalise SMS depending upon your user and its behaviour. Learn More Voicemail Easily manage messages with Voicemail Voicemail Recording: Personalized voicemail greetings for different departments Message Management: Messages are stored in the cloud, allowing for easy access. Access and Playback: Listen to voicemails from any internet-connected device. Learn More Number Sharing Enhance collaboration with effortless Number Sharing Unified communication: With number sharing, multiple devices can use the same phone number. Convenience: Seamlessly switch between devices without missing calls or texts. Cost Efficiency: Reduce costs by eliminating the need for multiple phone plans. Learn More Contacts Effortlessly manage your contacts Add and delete contact: Add and delete new contacts as the business grows. Centralized Information: Stores all relevant contact details in one place, making it easy to access and manage. Improved Organization: Helps organize contacts into groups or categories, enabling better management. Learn More Frequently Asked Questions Which country code is 236?236 is an area code in Canada, not a standalone country code. What is the time zone of the 236 area code?The 236 area code falls under the Pacific Time Zone (PT) — UTC-8 in standard time and UTC-7 during daylight saving. Who calls from the 236 area code?Calls from 236 could come from any individual or business within British Columbia. Always confirm the caller’s identity with caller ID or a reverse lookup. When did the 236 area code start?The 236 area code was introduced on June 1, 2013, in British Columbia. What province does the 236 area code belong to?Area code 236 belongs to British Columbia. What cities in Canada have 236 phone codes?Cities include Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey, Kelowna, Burnaby, Nanaimo, Kamloops, and others in British Columbia. How do you get a 236 phone number?You can get a 236 number through providers like Dialaxy. Simply create an account, choose the 236 area code, and complete your registration.