Lang
3/27/21
Ten digit dialing is coming to the area next month.
Under new guidelines from the Federal Communications Commission, all telephone customers in the 3-1-9 and 5-1-5 area codes must dial the three-digit code before the usual seven digit number, even if calling within the same area code. Callers can begin using ten digit dialing on April 24th, although seven digit dialing won’t be removed until October 24th. After that date, callers dialing only seven numbers will receive a recorded message reminding them to call the ten digit number.
The change comes after the introduction of a new national suicide hotline number, 9-8-8. Supporters of the new, three-digit number wanted it to be easy to remember, similar to 9-1-1 for emergencies. That meant a change was needed for dialing seven digit numbers that began with 9-8-8, leading to the new rule.
Phone companies have already begun alerting customers to the change.
The 9-8-8 hotline is scheduled to go live in July of 2022.