Area code 403 is one of the original area codes established in Canada in 1947. It primarily serves the southern portion of the province of Alberta, including major cities and regions such as:
- Calgary: Alberta’s largest city and economic hub.
- Lethbridge: A city in the southern part of Alberta, known for its agricultural and educational institutions.
- Banff: A popular tourist destination in the Canadian Rockies, part of the Banff National Park.
- Medicine Hat: A city in southeastern Alberta.
- Cochrane: A town northwest of Calgary that has grown rapidly in recent years.
Over time, due to population growth, Alberta has seen the introduction of additional area codes. For example, area code 587 was added as an overlay in 2016 to meet the demand for more phone numbers in the region. Still, area code 403 remains in use and covers a large swath of the province, particularly the southern and central regions.
In total, area code 403 serves a variety of rural and urban areas, including both major cities and smaller towns, along with many natural attractions in Alberta.