Get a 249 Area Code Local Virtual Number for Northern and Central Ontario Want to be where your customers are? Secure a 249 area code virtual number and show your clients in Northern and Central Ontario that you’re just a call away! Sign upRequest a Demo Endorsed by top industry leaders Trusted by industry experts for excellence and innovation. What is the 249 Area Code? The 249 area code is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) and serves Northern and Central Ontario in Canada. It covers a wide area that includes major cities and communities such as Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, and Bracebridge. To meet the increasing demand for phone numbers, 249 has been overlaid by area codes 705 and 683. Northern and Central Ontario operate within the Eastern Time Zone (ET) — UTC-5 during standard time and UTC-4 during daylight saving time. Country Canada Province Ontario Cities Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie Time Zone Eastern Time Zone Telephone Number Format +1(249)-XXX-XXXX Example of 249 Phone Number +1(249)-555-6789 Where is the 249 Area Code? The 249 area code is located in Ontario, Canada. It serves the same geographic region as the 705 area code, covering a large part of northeastern and central Ontario. Major cities within the 249 area code include Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Peterborough. Introduced in 2011 as an overlay to the 705 area code, 249 was created to meet the growing demand for new phone numbers in the region. Because 249 is an overlay, residents are required to use 10-digit dialing for all local calls. Ontario’s 249 area code covers a wide range of communities, from bustling city centers to smaller rural towns, offering reliable communication services across a diverse area. Whether for business or personal use, a 249 number keeps you connected throughout one of Ontario’s most scenic and historic regions. A Brief History of the 249 Area Code The 249 area code was introduced in March 2011 as an overlay to the existing 705 area code in Ontario, Canada. It was created to address the growing demand for new telephone numbers due to population growth, mobile device usage, and expanding businesses in northeastern and central Ontario. Before 249’s introduction, the 705 area code had served the region since 1957, but the surge in communication needs meant that a new solution was necessary. Instead of splitting the region, officials chose an overlay, allowing residents and businesses to keep their existing 705 numbers while new customers could be assigned 249 numbers. This change also required the transition to mandatory 10-digit dialing for local calls. Today, the 249 area code supports both urban centers and rural communities, playing an essential role in keeping Ontario’s diverse regions connected. How to Get a 249 Area Code Phone Number? You can purchase a 249 area code phone number from a VoIP service provider like Dialaxy. Follow these simple steps: Sign up on the official Dialaxy website or mobile app. Log in to your dialaxy account. Search “My Number” from the “Portal” menu. Click on “Buy Number.” Choose Canada as your country and search for the 249 area code. Complete the payment and submit any required documents. How Does a 249 Area Code Business Phone Number Work? A 249 area code business phone number works just like any other local number, but is specifically tied to the northeastern and central regions of Ontario. When you get a 249 number, it allows your business to establish a local presence in cities like Sudbury, North Bay, and Peterborough, even if you’re operating from elsewhere. Calls to and from your 249 number are routed through the regular phone network or VoIP systems, depending on your provider. Because 249 is an overlay area code, all calls require 10-digit dialing. This setup helps businesses build trust with local customers, appear more accessible, and expand their reach within Ontario’s growing markets. Dialing a 249 Number Country Code (1): Indicates Canada Area Code (249): Directs the call to Northern and Central Ontario Local Exchange (e.g., 555): Identifies a specific locality (e.g., Sudbury) Subscriber Number (e.g., 6789): A unique four-digit number for individuals or businesses With a 249 area code business number, you get a professional and reliable communication tool tailored for your Ontario customer base. Who’s Doing Business in the 249 Area Code? The 249 area code connects a diverse range of businesses across Northern and Central Ontario’s economy. Here’s a look at the industries thriving in the region: Mining & Natural Resources Northern Ontario is rich in minerals, and companies like Vale and Glencore operate major mining projects in Sudbury and Timmins, relying on 249 numbers for communication. Forestry & Paper Manufacturing Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding areas have a robust forestry industry, where companies use 249 numbers to coordinate operations, sales, and logistics. Tourism & Outdoor Recreation With its abundance of lakes, parks, and wilderness, cities like North Bay and Bracebridge attract visitors year-round. Local tour companies, hotels, and outfitters use 249 numbers to serve guests. Healthcare & Medical Services Hospitals and clinics across Northern Ontario, including Health Sciences North in Sudbury, use 249 area code numbers for patient services and regional healthcare programs. Education & Research Institutions like Laurentian University and Nipissing University use 249 numbers to maintain academic and administrative communications across campuses. Retail & Small Business Small businesses in communities throughout the region use 249 numbers to engage with local customers and expand their brand visibility. Why Does Your Business Need a 249 Area Code Number? Build Local Trust A 249 number helps your business appear local to customers in northeastern and central Ontario. People are more likely to engage with businesses that seem familiar and community-based. Expand Your Market Reach With a 249 area code, you can easily tap into cities like Sudbury, North Bay, and Sault Ste. Marie. It positions your business to attract more clients across both urban and rural areas of Ontario. Create a Professional Image Having a dedicated business number with a local area code adds credibility to your brand. It shows customers you are established and committed to serving their community. Separate Personal and Business Calls A 249 business number keeps your professional communications organized and separate from your personal phone. This makes it easier to manage customer inquiries and maintain a work-life balance. Support Remote and Virtual Operations Even if your business isn’t physically located in Ontario, a 249 number gives the right choice of area code for your business. This is ideal for remote teams, virtual offices, and companies expanding into new regions. Improve Marketing Effectiveness Using a 249 number in local ads, listings, and campaigns can significantly boost response rates. Customers are more likely to call a number that feels familiar and relevant to their area. 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 249?The 249 area code is part of Canada’s North American Numbering Plan. What is the time zone of the 249 area code?The 249 area code follows the Eastern Time Zone (ET), UTC-5 during standard time and UTC-4 during daylight saving time. Who calls from the 249 area code?Calls from the 249 area code can be from businesses, residents, government agencies, or telemarketers in Northern and Central Ontario. When did the 249 area code start? The 249 area code was officially introduced in March 2011. What province does the 249 area code belong to?The 249 area code belongs to the province of Ontario. What cities in Canada have 249 phone codes?Cities with 249 numbers include Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, and Bracebridge. How do you get a 249 phone number?You can get a 249 phone number through providers like Dialaxy by purchasing a new number or porting an existing one