Tennessee's area code system has evolved significantly since the introduction of the first code, 901, in 1947. The state's growing population and telecommunication needs led to the addition of more area codes over time. The 615 area code, introduced in 1954, initially covered the central and eastern parts of the state, including Nashville. The 423 area code was created in 1995 for East Tennessee, including Chattanooga and the Tri-Cities. In 1999, the 865 area code was introduced for Knoxville and surrounding areas. The most recent addition, 731, was established in 2001 for West Tennessee, excluding the greater Memphis area. These area codes not only facilitate communication but also reflect the geographical and cultural diversity of Tennessee.
Tennessee has seen a growing preference for mobile phones. Data from 2023 shows that 76.2% of adults in Tennessee rely solely on mobile phones, up from 64.6% in 2019—a gain of over 11 percentage points in four years. Tennessee residents who primarily use a wireless phone make up 13.4%, while 3.9% rely on both mobile and landline. Those who mainly rely on landlines and those who only use landlines have declined to 3.3% and 2.0% respectively. The share of adults lacking phone access stands at 1.1%. Tennessee's dual-user segment has dropped sharply since 2019, reflecting the state's embrace of mobile-first communication.