Gatineau, Quebec
873 Area Code
Build a credible local presence in Gatineau, Sherbrooke, and across central and western Quebec with an 873 area code number. Great for businesses serving Outaouais, Estrie, Mauricie, and surrounding regions who want higher pickup rates and genuine community trust.
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About 873 Area Code
Area code 873 covers central and western Quebec, Canada, operating as an overlay to the original 819 area code that has served the region since 1957. Introduced on September 15, 2012, 873 was created to relieve number exhaustion in 819 as demand for new phone numbers outpaced supply. A third overlay, area code 468, was added in October 2022 to further expand capacity. Together, all three codes serve the same geographic footprint, stretching from Gatineau and the National Capital Region in the west through Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivieres, Drummondville, and into Abitibi-Temiscamingue in the north.
The 873 region is economically diverse. Gatineau sits directly across the Ottawa River from Canada's capital and hosts a large federal government workforce alongside a growing tech and manufacturing base. Sherbrooke, known as the Queen of the Eastern Townships, is a university hub with roughly 40,000 post-secondary students and a strong healthcare and services sector. Drummondville and Victoriaville anchor Centre-du-Quebec with agri-food, plastics, and light manufacturing. Businesses across all these markets use local 873 numbers for customer support, appointment scheduling, field dispatch, and government-facing communications because a recognizable local code builds immediate credibility with Quebec callers.
FoneSwift shows live 873 number inventory on this page, including which numbers support Voice, SMS, and MMS. Because 873 is an overlay with 819 and 468, all three codes cover the same area, so if 873 numbers are temporarily limited, searching 819 or 468 inventory can still deliver the same local presence for your Quebec campaigns. Canadian business messaging must comply with CRTC guidelines and carrier-level campaign registration requirements, similar to 10DLC in the United States.
If your business targets Quebec, display numbers in both local and E.164 formats, for example (873) 555-1234 and +1 873 555 1234, so Canadian and international callers both recognize your number. Quebec is a bilingual market, so consider configuring a French and English IVR greeting on your 873 line. For number porting, check our porting guide and allow 5 to 10 business days for most Canadian carrier transfers.
10-digit dialing is mandatory within the 873/819/468 overlay region. Business SMS in Canada must comply with CRTC guidelines; register your campaigns with your messaging provider before launching any A2P text outreach.
Area code 873 operates on Eastern Time (ET). Standard time is UTC-5 (EST) from the first Sunday in November to the second Sunday in March. Daylight Saving Time shifts clocks to UTC-4 (EDT) for the rest of the year. Quebec observes DST in line with the rest of eastern Canada.
Because 873, 819, and 468 all serve the same Quebec territory, inventory from any of the three codes delivers an identical local presence. If 873 numbers are unavailable, searching 819 or 468 on FoneSwift provides the same geographic coverage. For bilingual markets, configure French and English greeting options on your IVR to maximize caller experience across both language communities.
Quick Facts about 873 Area Code
Interesting tidbits about this area code 873
Overlay of a 1957 classic
Area code 819 has served western Quebec since 1957, making it one of the original NANP codes. When 819 ran low on numbers, 873 was overlaid in 2012 to keep the region connected without forcing anyone to change their existing number.
National Capital neighbor
Gatineau sits right across the Ottawa River from Ottawa, Ontario. The two cities form Canada's National Capital Region, making the 873 footprint one of the few Canadian area codes that directly borders a federal capital across a provincial line.
Quebec's most student-dense city
Sherbrooke hosts eight post-secondary institutions serving around 40,000 students, giving it one of the highest ratios of university students per capita in all of Quebec -- a constant driver of demand for local phone and SMS services.
Three codes, one region
Three active area codes -- 819, 873, and 468 -- all cover the exact same geographic territory. A new subscriber in Gatineau or Sherbrooke today could receive any of the three codes depending on which number blocks are currently available.
Hydropower heartland
Much of the 873 region runs on Quebec's massive hydroelectric grid. Industrial operations in Abitibi-Temiscamingue and Mauricie benefit from some of the lowest electricity costs in North America, attracting energy-intensive manufacturing and mining.
A genuinely bilingual market
Quebec is Canada's only majority-francophone province, and the 873 region includes both French-dominant communities and bilingual corridors near the Ontario border. Businesses often run bilingual IVR menus on local 873 numbers to serve both language communities effectively.
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How Does Local 873 Phone Numbers Work?
A local business number is a structured telephone identifier that tells networks where to route calls and messages. When you use a 873 number in Gatineau and Quebec, the digits signal the international gateway, the geographic region, the local exchange and the specific subscriber, so calls reach the right destination quickly and reliably.
The typical parts of a Canada local number are:
- Country code (+1): identifies Canada for international routing.
- Area code (873): directs the call to the Gatineau / Quebec region.
- Central office / exchange (eg. 555): narrows the call to a local switching area or rate center.
- Subscriber number (eg. 1234): the unique line assigned to a person, extension, or device.
Example formats:
| International Format (E.164) | +1 873 555 1234 |
| Local Format (National) | (873) 555-1234 |
Quick Dialing Guide
The correct formats to reach 873 numbers locally and globally.
From Landlines
Standard Canada FormatUse for domestic long-distance calls within Canada.
From Mobile
E.164 InternationalThe universal format. Works on any mobile device, anywhere.
International
From abroadDialing from outside Canada (exit code 00 varies by country).
With FoneSwift, your 873 number can be instantly configured through our intuitive dashboard. Connect it to call forwarding rules, AI voice agents, IVR menus, or route calls directly to any device. Enable voice, SMS, and MMS capabilities right from your account, no technical setup required. Your number becomes active immediately after purchase, and you can update routing, business hours, and integrations anytime.
For businesses, local numbers offer clear benefits: higher answer rates, stronger local recognition, and better performance for local campaigns and customer trust. Typical business features include call forwarding, call recording, auto-attendants, voicemail-to-email, and multi-device ringing.
Important operational notes:
- SMS & A2P: If you plan to send application-to-person messages from a 873 number, register your traffic where required and follow carrier rules (10DLC/A2P) to avoid deliverability or throughput issues.
- Number Porting: Bring your existing 873number to FoneSwift seamlessly. Our team handles the entire porting process, simply submit your number details and we'll coordinate with your current provider. Porting typically completes within 5-10 business days, and you'll receive updates at each step. There's no service interruption during the transfer.
- Display & formatting: Always publish numbers in both local and E.164 formats so international and mobile users can easily dial.
Ready to get started? Browse available 873 numbers in the phone numbers section above, you'll see real-time availability and can filter by features like voice, SMS, and MMS. Once you find your perfect number, purchase it in seconds and start making calls immediately. Our team is here to help you choose the right setup for your business needs, whether you're setting up AI receptionists, call forwarding, or SMS campaigns. Start your 14-day free trial today, no credit card required.
How to Get a 873 Phone Number
Buying a local 873 phone number using FoneSwift is easy and takes just a few minutes. Follow these simple steps to get your local 873 phone number and start connecting with customers in Canada today.
Create a new account on FoneSwift or sign in to your existing account to get started.
Once logged in, you'll be taken to your FoneSwift dashboard where you can manage all your phone numbers and settings.
Click on Settings in the sidebar, then go to "My Numbers" and click the "Add a Number" button.
Choose Canada as your country from the dropdown menu.
Select Local as the type of number, then choose the 873 area code from the available options.
Click the "Search" button to see all available phone numbers with the selected area code.
Browse through the available numbers, select one that fits your needs, click "Buy Number", and confirm your purchase.
Your number is now active! Start making and receiving calls from the FoneSwift Dialer immediately.
You can configure your number to handle calls, forward calls, or even create an AI voice agent to handle the calls for you.
Businesses Using 873 Phone Numbers
Central and western Quebec spans government hubs, university cities, manufacturing corridors, and resource-industry towns. Local 873 numbers are widely used for customer-facing communications, B2B outreach, and regional marketing campaigns.
Government & public services
Gatineau hosts a large federal and provincial government workforce. Departments, contractors, and consultants rely on local numbers for constituent services, intergovernmental coordination, and contractor outreach.
Higher education & student services
Sherbrooke's eight post-secondary institutions use local numbers for admissions, student support, and research coordination. A local 873 code signals credibility to prospective students and academic partners across Quebec and beyond.
Healthcare & social services
Hospitals, clinics, and social service agencies across the region use local numbers for appointment reminders, patient follow-ups, and referrals. A local area code improves answer rates compared to unfamiliar out-of-province numbers.
Manufacturing & agri-food
Drummondville and Victoriaville are manufacturing corridors specializing in agri-food, plastics, and light industrial goods. Local phone lines support order management, supplier coordination, and customer service for B2B operations.
Mining & natural resources
Rouyn-Noranda and Val-d'Or in Abitibi-Temiscamingue are active mining centers. Mining firms, equipment suppliers, and environmental consultants use local numbers to maintain credibility with regional clients and provincial regulators.
Tourism & outdoor recreation
The Eastern Townships around Sherbrooke, including Mont-Orford and nearby ski hills, draw year-round visitors. Hotels, outfitters, and tour operators use local 873 numbers for reservations, concierge services, and seasonal promotions.
Why Choose 873 Local Phone Number for Your Business?
Discover the advantages of having a local phone number that builds trust, increases engagement, and drives results.
Powerful Features for Your 873 Local Phone Number
Get the most out of your localphone number with FoneSwift's enterprise-grade features designed to help your business communicate more effectively.
Nearby Area Codes
Explore other area codes in the same region to expand your local presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cities and regions does the 873 area code serve?
When was area code 873 created?
What is the difference between area codes 819, 873, and 468?
Can I get SMS-capable numbers with the 873 area code?
Is 10-digit dialing required for 873 numbers?
Is area code 873 a toll-free number?
How do I buy an 873 area code phone number?
What timezone is the 873 area code in?
Can I port my existing Quebec number to FoneSwift?
Where can I find official information about area code 873?
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