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3-2-1 Blastoff for Florida's Space Coast Telephones
By Todd Halvorson
Cape Canaveral Bureau Chief
posted: 12:23 pm ET
01 November 1999
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321_areacode_991101CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The historic birthplace of Americas space program is blasting into the new millennium with a fitting new area code -- (321). Home of NASAs Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Station, Floridas Space Coast has hosted near-countless launch countdowns since the dawn of the Space Age. Consequently, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and other officials said it was especially appropriate that the state Public Service Commission approved the new area code, which is needed to accommodate central Floridas growing population and the rising number of telephones, faxes, cell phones and pagers. "Its a great idea," said Edward OConnor, executive director of Spaceport Florida Authority, the states space agency. "I think it reaffirms Floridas commitment to space, and now all of east-central Florida is clearly identified with the space program." Bush made a ceremonial first call to the new area code from Tallahassee, the state capital, on Monday. Senior NASA, Air Force and aerospace industry officials were on the other end of the video teleconference at the KSC headquarters building in Cape Canaveral. In making the call, Bush thanked Robert Osband, a Titusville, Fla. computer consultant who first pitched the idea for the (321) area code and then lobbied heavily for it. "I want to thank Ozzie for coming up with a simple, bold idea," Bush said. "Good ideas dont have to come with a lot of syllables attached to them. They can be simple and powerful, and it was one of those light bulb ideas." Osband, meanwhile, already has secured a coveted cellular telephone number - 321-LIFTOFF - much to the chagrin of local tourism officials. And despite a lot of arm-twisting, he doesnt plan on giving it up. "The tourism people want it bad," Osband said. "But Im not giving that one up. Not if I can help it."
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