The Georgia Public Service Commission has delayed the implementation of the new 762 area code in north Georgia by six months.

The new area code, which will be an overlay over the existing 706 area code, will require all telephones with a 706 area code to begin mandatory 10-digit dialing before the new 762 area code can be used.

A-Com Protection Services of Columbus, Ga., a provider of burglar alarms and security services, requested the extension because it had not finished converting its burglar alarms in the affected areas to use 10-digit dialing. The company will be required to file monthly progress reports with the PSC saying how many burglar alarms still need to be converted.

Prior to the order, mandatory 10-digit dialing had been set to go into effect April 3. Pursuant to an order from the Georgia Public Service Commission issued Wednesday, that deadline will be extended to October 3. Until mandatory 10-digit dialing goes into effect, numbers in the new 762 area code cannot be issued.

The North American Numbering Plan Administration projects that the 706 area code will run out of numbers in the second quarter of 2006.