MONTGOMERY, AL -
The first telephone customers in Alabama to have 10-digit dialing for local numbers will begin voluntary compliance next month and mandatory compliance in June. This affects everyone who lives in the 256 area code.
The Alabama Public Service Commission announced the compliance schedule Tuesday.
The PSC approved Alabama's first area code overlay for the 256 area code in north and east Alabama in March. The change, which requires 10-digit dialing, was needed because the region was using up the available phone numbers rapidly.
The new area code overlaying 256 is 938. This new area code will begin July 10, 2010. The point of the overlay, according to PSC telecommunications director Darrell Baker, is so people with existing 256 numbers will not have to change to a new area code.
Changing to a new number can be a big hassle. Baker says it's also very expensive for businesses, because they have to foot additional costs to print new letterhead, business cards, and the like.
Baker says Atlanta has used an overlay for years with area codes, and so has Jackson, Mississippi.
Permissive dialing of 10 digits for local calls in the 256 area code will begin November 7. If you dial seven digits after that day, you'll hear a recording that says you will soon have to dial 10 digits. However, you will be connected.
Ten-digit dialing becomes mandatory on June 5, 2010. After that day, if you dial seven numbers, you'll hear a message that says your call cannot be completed as dialed.
After that day, you'll have to dial 10 digits to be connected with anyone in the 256 area code, even if it's just your next door neighbor, or relative who lives a few blocks away.
And, anyone who gets a new phone number after July 10 will be assigned a 938 area code. However, if that person is in your local calling area, it will still be a local call for you. You'll just have to dial all 10 digits in order to connect with them.
Tell us what you think about this story! Use our comment section below this story on WHNT.com.
The Alabama Public Service Commission announced the compliance schedule Tuesday.
The PSC approved Alabama's first area code overlay for the 256 area code in north and east Alabama in March. The change, which requires 10-digit dialing, was needed because the region was using up the available phone numbers rapidly.
The new area code overlaying 256 is 938. This new area code will begin July 10, 2010. The point of the overlay, according to PSC telecommunications director Darrell Baker, is so people with existing 256 numbers will not have to change to a new area code.
Changing to a new number can be a big hassle. Baker says it's also very expensive for businesses, because they have to foot additional costs to print new letterhead, business cards, and the like.
Baker says Atlanta has used an overlay for years with area codes, and so has Jackson, Mississippi.
Permissive dialing of 10 digits for local calls in the 256 area code will begin November 7. If you dial seven digits after that day, you'll hear a recording that says you will soon have to dial 10 digits. However, you will be connected.
Ten-digit dialing becomes mandatory on June 5, 2010. After that day, if you dial seven numbers, you'll hear a message that says your call cannot be completed as dialed.
After that day, you'll have to dial 10 digits to be connected with anyone in the 256 area code, even if it's just your next door neighbor, or relative who lives a few blocks away.
And, anyone who gets a new phone number after July 10 will be assigned a 938 area code. However, if that person is in your local calling area, it will still be a local call for you. You'll just have to dial all 10 digits in order to connect with them.
Tell us what you think about this story! Use our comment section below this story on WHNT.com.
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