The numeric sequence 717 represents a specific geographic telephony routing zone within the North American Numbering Plan. This designation facilitates the allocation of telephone numbers to subscribers within south-central Pennsylvania. A common example is a ten-digit phone number utilizing this identifier, which consists of the area code, followed by a three-digit central office code, and a four-digit subscriber number (e.g., 717-XXX-XXXX).
This particular numbering area holds significance due to its association with a region encompassing the state capital and surrounding metropolitan areas. Its implementation allowed for the efficient expansion of telecommunications services to meet the growing needs of the population and businesses in the designated area. Furthermore, the creation and assignment of this code have historical roots tied to the development and expansion of the public switched telephone network.