Heads Up:10 Digit Dialing Will Be Mandatory This Month

If you are used to dialing only the seven digits of a phone number you will need to get used to a new system coming up at the middle to end of this month. Ten digit dialing means you will have to dial not just the phone number but also the area code even if the call you are making is not long distance. Used to if you dialed just seven digits you would reach a local number and that is usually how a landline or fax machine is set up if the one you have is older. What you will need to do is reprogram these devices to send and be able to recognize an incoming call with the area code included. This is part of a new project by the FCC to start making the primary number of the Suicide Prevention Hotline 988 which requires the phone system to have ten digits. The area codes included in this transition include 806 and 940 among other codes.

If you have a cell phone of any carrier they will start this dial format by October 24th and from then on any number including local will be area code and number. Be sure to let anyone know who needs help making this transition. I already dial area code on my phone so I should be good to go when this happens.

-Tristan