Customer Bulletins

Area Code Overlay Approved for the Minnesota 507 Area Code

To make sure new telephone numbers are available, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved the addition of the new 924 area code to the geographic region of the 507 area code. This process is known as an area code overlay.

 

What is an area code overlay?

An overlay is the addition of another area code (924) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (507). An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code but does require using a new dialing procedure to complete calls.

 

Who will be affected?

The 507 area code covers southern Minnesota and cities including, but not limited to Albert Lea, Austin, Fairmont, Mankato, Northfield, Rochester, Winona, Worthington, and other smaller communities. Anyone with a 507 area code will need to use a new dialing procedure, but will not have to change their telephone number. New telephone numbers may be assigned in the new 924 area code.

 

What will be the new dialing procedure?

All calls in the 507 area code geographic area that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to be dialed using area code + telephone number. The same dialing procedure will apply to both 507 telephone numbers and telephone numbers that are assigned in the new 924 area code.

 

When will the change begin?

Effective January 30, 2024, dial the area code + telephone number whenever you place a call. If you forget and dial just seven digits, your call will still be completed.

Beginning July 30, 2024, you must dial the area code + telephone number on all calls, including calls within your same area code. If you do not dial the area code + telephone number, your call will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again, including the area code.

Beginning August 30, 2024, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the new 924 area code.

 

What will change?

  • Dial the area code + telephone number for local calls.
  • All services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial a 7-digit number will need to be reprogrammed to include the area code. Some examples are: life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services and similar functions, etc.
  • Update your websites, personal and business stationery and checks, advertising materials, personal and pet ID tags and other such items to ensure the area code is included.

 

What will remain the same?

  • Your telephone number, including current area code.
  • The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
  • What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
  • You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 if available in your area.

 

Who may you contact with questions?

If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call the number showing on your bill or access the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission website at:  https://mn.gov/puc/.

Elimination of Area Code Boundaries between 480, 602 & 623 in the Phoenix Metro Area Effective September 12, 2023

To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers in the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Arizona Corporation Commission has approved the elimination of the area code boundaries between the 480, 602 and 623 in the Phoenix metro area. This boundary elimination overlay does not require customers with a 480, 602 or 623 area codes to change their existing area code but does require them to include the area code and the seven-digit telephone number on every call, including calls within the same area code.

 

Who will be affected?

Everyone with a 480, 602 or 623 area code will be affected by this boundary elimination overlay. The 602 area code principally serves the City of Phoenix. The 480 area code primarily serves the eastern region including Scottsdale, Chandler and Tempe.  The 623 area code is currently assigned to the western and northern most areas including Buckeye, Glendale and Peoria.  Once the boundary elimination area code overlay is implemented, the entire Phoenix metro area will be combined and there will no longer be any geographic areas served separately.

 

When will the change begin?

Beginning August 12, 2023, 10-digit dialing will become mandatory throughout the 480, 602 and 623 area code regions, and calls that do not include the area code will not complete. If you forget and only dial 7 digits, you will hear a recorded message that advises you to include the area code.  You will need to hang up and re-dial your call including the area code.

 

Beginning September 12, 2023, new telephone lines or services in the former ‘geographic’ areas served separately may now be assigned numbers from the area codes in 480, 602 or 623.  All area code numbers may be ported throughout the Phoenix metro area since the boundaries between the area codes will be eliminated.  As an example, if you or your business moves from Scottsdale to Phoenix, you will no longer be required to change your telephone number when moving into a different area code within the Phoenix metro area.

 

What will you need to do?

In addition to dialing 10-digits for all local calls, you should identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number (area code + 7-digit telephone number), and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, and customers, etc.  Please ensure all services, such as automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial a 7-digit number are updated to include the area code. Some examples are life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, mobile and cordless phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions. Be sure to check your personal and business stationery, checks, advertising materials, websites, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included in your telephone number.

 

What will remain the same?

  • Your telephone number, including the current area code, will not change.
  • What is currently a local call will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
  • The price of a call or other rates and services will not change.
  • You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls.
  • You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, or 811, if currently available in your community.

 

Who may you contact with questions?

If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call 1-866-468-3472 or access the following websites for more information: https://allstream.com/support/us-customer-support/ or http://www.azcc.gov/utilities/telephone/all-about-area-codes.

Moving to mandatory 10 Digit Dialing on May 31, 2023 in Canada

This dialing pattern change has been mandated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in order to prepare for the introduction of a 9-8-8 Dialing Code for mental health crisis and suicide prevention services. The 9-8-8 Dialing Code is scheduled to be implemented on November 30, 2023.

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Dialing Plan Change Coming to 602 & 623 Area Codes in Arizona All Customers Should Dial 10 Digits Starting February 11, 2023

To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers in the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Arizona Corporation Commission has approved the elimination of area code boundaries between the 480, 602 and 623 area codes in the Phoenix metro area.

Continue reading “Dialing Plan Change Coming to 602 & 623 Area Codes in Arizona All Customers Should Dial 10 Digits Starting February 11, 2023”

The New 369 Area Code is Coming to the California 707 Area Code Region

To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the California Public Utilities Commission has approved an all-services overlay for the 707 area code region. The 707 area code serves all or portions of Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama and Trinity counties, and encompasses cities such as American Canyon, Arcata, Benicia, Calistoga, Clearlake, Cloverdale, Cotati, Crescent City, Dixon, Eureka, Fairfield, Ferndale, Fort Bragg, Healdsburg, Lakeport, Napa, Petaluma, Point Arena, Rio Dell, Rio Vista, Rohnert Park, Saint Helena, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Sonoma, Suisun City, Trinidad, Ukiah, Vacaville, Vallejo, Windsor, Willits, and Yountville. The new 369 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the 707 area code.

Continue reading “The New 369 Area Code is Coming to the California 707 Area Code Region”

Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing Becomes Effective on October 24, 2021 for Multiple States/Area Codes

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted 988 as a new three-digit number to be used nationwide to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline, starting July 16, 2022. Customers must continue to dial 1-800-273-TALK to reach the Lifeline until July 16, 2022.

In order for 988 to work in your area code, mandatory 10-digit local dialing will be implemented.  If your area code is included in the list below, you will need to dial the area code for all local calls starting on October 24, 2021.

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How Will The FCC Deregulation Order Affect Your T1-based Communication Services?

T1 Lines have been the industry standard for the provisioning of various communication services for decades. A T1 line uses twisted copper wire that transfers voice and data via digital signals from one location to another. While copper networks served their purpose well providing reliability and functionality— they have become outdated. 

If you’re one of the millions of companies using copper-based communication services (also known as T1 lines) for voice and data, you might be concerned about how the FCC’s deregulation order will affect your business. One of the concerns is ongoing rate increases on T1-based communication services expected beginning in July 2022. 
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The New 983 Area Code is Coming to the Colorado 303/720 Area Codes Region

To ensure a continuing supply of new telephone numbers, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission has approved an all-services area code overlay for the 303/720/983 area code overlay region, which serves the Denver Metropolitan area, including but not limited to the cities of Aurora, Boulder, Brighton, Castle Rock, Columbine, Englewood, Erie, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Littleton, Longmont, Thornton, Westminster and Wheat Ridge. 

The new 983 NPA will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 303/720 area codes.

Continue reading “The New 983 Area Code is Coming to the Colorado 303/720 Area Codes Region”