The expansion will impact calls to consumers in 35 states effective Oct. 24.
9/24/2021 8:00
The Federal Communications Commission is continuing the transition requiring 10-digit area codes for dialing, and businesses will need to update their phone systems to accommodate the change.
There are 82 area codes in 35 states and one U.S. territory that currently use 988 as their local exchange and allow seven-digit dialing. To prepare for implementation of a quick way to dial the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline—using only 988 to connect callers—these area codes must transition to 10-digit dialing for all calls, including local calls, according to the FCC.
A list of the 35 states and one U.S. territory with area codes that will be affected is available from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator.
If you have one of these area codes, the FCC requires that beginning on Oct. 24, 2021, you must dial 10 digits (area code and telephone number) for all local calls. On and after this date, local calls dialed with only seven digits may not connect, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. You must hang up and dial again using the area code and the seven-digit number.
Ten-digit dialing for local calls has been enabled in these area codes since April 24, 2021, according to the FCC, and you can begin dialing 10 digits anytime, though seven-digit local calls will still be completed prior to Oct. 24, 2021.
Outside of the upcoming “988” transition, on Oct. 9, 2021, the “202” area code will also be moving to 10-digit dialing. This move will allow for a new area code, “771,” to be added to the current “202” area. After this date, calls dialed using only seven digits will not be completed.
Changes for Businesses
If your company uses a PBX or VoIP phone system, you may need to update or reprogram it for 10-digit dialing. This process can begin at any time as long as it is complete and tested before the Oct. 24, 2021, effective date.
The requirement for 10-digit dialing is also becoming more prevalent because the number of phones in America is more than the population, and each phone needs its own phone number, according to the FCC.
The FCC established the 988 as the new phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in 2020 and it will be available by July 16, 2022. The goal was to provide a three-digit number that was easy to remember, similar to 911 for emergencies and 311 for government services.
For more information, visit the FCC website.