NASHVILLE (AP) - A growing population and the explosive expansion of the use of hand-held electronic devices has prompted the creation of a new area code for Nashville.

Tennessee Regulatory Authority spokesman David Foster told WSMV-TV (http://bit.ly/1nR3vRn) that the 629 area code and 10-digit dialing will go into place Feb. 28, joining the 615 area code in everyday use.

On Friday, regulators are encouraging everyone to begin dialing all 10 digits regardless of location.