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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.

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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:

Local Numbers
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.

Local Numbers
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.

Local Numbers
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.

Mobile Phone Numbers
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.

Toll-free Numbers
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.

Toll-free Numbers
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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

236 is an area code in Canada, not a standalone country code.

The 236 area code falls under the Pacific Time Zone (PT) — UTC-8 in standard time and UTC-7 during daylight saving.

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.

The 236 area code was introduced on June 1, 2013, in British Columbia.

Area code 236 belongs to British Columbia.

Cities include Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey, Kelowna, Burnaby, Nanaimo, Kamloops, and others in British Columbia.

You can get a 236 number through providers like Dialaxy. Simply create an account, choose the 236 area code, and complete your registration.

Starting at just $10/month

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