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Regional Area Code Changes

Details

To ensure a continuing supply of new telephone numbers in a state, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approves each state's utilities commission to introduce new area codes or combine area codes in a geographic region.

Using the area code with the original phone number, 10-digit dialing requires using the 3-digit area code prefix in addition to the original 7-digits of a telephone number whenever making a telephone call.

  • This practice was implemented by the FCC to eliminate concerns that customers inside the previous area code and the overlay area code (the new area code covering the same geographic area as the previous area code) would have different dialing arrangements, such as the previous area code using 7-digit dialing and the overlay area code using 10-digit dialing when making a telephone call.
  • Using 10 digits when making a telephone call became necessary to eliminate the different dialing arrangements between the previous and overlay area codes.

Types of Area Code Changes

The table below outlines several ways that area code changes are introduced.

Change Type Definition
National Suicide Hotline
  • 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, 10-digit local dialing must first be implemented. If your area code is included, you will need to change the way you dial local calls.
  • See the FCC website for 10-digit dialing at www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/ten-digit-dialing.
Area Code Overlay An area code overlay occurs when a new area code is added to an existing area code in the same geographic area.
Boundary Elimination Overlay A boundary elimination overlay occurs when the boundary line between two existing area codes is eliminated so that both area codes serve the same combined geographic region.

National Area Code Changes

Use the table below to learn about recent or ongoing area code changes affecting your region.

Region / Area Codes Change Type Impact Mandatory Overlay Date Resource Links

Virginia 

804 / 686

 Area Code Overlay
  • Current customers can keep their existing telephone numbers and area codes.
  • The new dialing procedure will not change existing phone numbers or the cost of the call. Calls that are in your local calling area remain local calls.
  • You currently must dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls. Local calls dialed with only 7-digits may not be completed as dialed.
  • Beginning Feburary 1, 2024,  new customers may be assigned the new 686 area code.

 

 2/1/24

Arkansas

870 / 327

 Area Code Overlay
  • Current customers can keep their existing telephone numbers and area codes.
  • The new dialing procedure will not change existing phone numbers or the cost of the call. Calls that are in your local calling area remain local calls.
  • After 1/19/24, you must dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls. On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7-digits may not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. 
  • Beginning February 20, 2024, new customers may be assigned the new 327 area code.
 1/19/24

Arizona

480 / 602 / 623

 Boundary Elimination Overlay - Second customer notification
  • Current customers can keep their existing telephone numbers and area code.
  • The new dialing procedure will not change existing phone numbers or the cost of the call. Calls that are in your local calling area remain local calls.
  • After 8/12/23, you must dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls. On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7-digits may not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed.
 8/12/23
Arizona
480 / 520 / 928		 National Suicide Hotline
  • Current customers can keep their existing telephone numbers and area code.
  • The new dialing procedure will not change existing phone numbers or the cost of the call. Calls that are in your local calling area remain local calls.
  • After 11/9/21, you must dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls. On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7-digits may not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed.
 11/9/21
  • California - 562 / 949
  • Florida - 352
  • Georgia - 478
 National Suicide Hotline
  • Current customers can keep their existing telephone numbers and area code.
  • The new dialing procedure will not change existing phone numbers or the cost of the call. Calls that are in your local calling area remain local calls.
  • After 11/16/21, you must dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls. On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7-digits may not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed.
 11/16/21
  • Ohio - 440
  • Virginia - 804
 National Suicide Hotline
  • Current customers can keep their existing telephone numbers and area code.
  • The new dialing procedure will not change existing phone numbers or the cost of the call. Calls that are in your local calling area remain local calls.
  • After 12/7/21, you must dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls. On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7-digits may not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed.
 12/7/21
Kansas - 620 / 785 National Suicide Hotline
  • Current customers can keep their existing telephone numbers and area code.
  • The new dialing procedure will not change existing phone numbers or the cost of the call. Calls that are in your local calling area remain local calls.
  • After 12/7/21, you must dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls. On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7-digits may not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed.
 12/7/21
Louisiana -
337 / 504		 National Suicide Hotline
  • Current customers can keep their existing telephone numbers and area code.
  • The new dialing procedure will not change existing phone numbers or the cost of the call. Calls that are in your local calling area remain local calls.
  • After 12/14/21, you must dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls. On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7-digits may not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed.
 12/12/21
Virginia
757 / 948		 Area Code Overlay
  • Current customers can keep their existing telephone numbers and area code.
  • The new dialing procedure will not change existing 757 phone numbers or the cost of the call. Calls that are in your local calling area remain local calls.
  • After April 9, 2022, customers in the region must dial +1 the appropriate area code followed by the 7-digit telephone number for calls to be completed.
 4/9/22

Virginia

540 / 826

 Area Code Overlay
  • Current customers can keep their existing telephone numbers and area code.
  • The new dialing procedure will not change existing 540 phone numbers or the cost of the call. Calls that are in your local calling area remain local calls.
  • Beginning May 14, 2022, customers in the region must dial +1 the appropriate area code followed by the 7-digit telephone number for calls to be completed.
 5/14/22

Reprogramming Equipment for 10-Digit Dialing

All services and automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed with a 7-digit telephone number must be reprogrammed to dial 10-digits. The following are common examples of equipment that require reprogramming.

  • Stored telephone numbers in contact lists in phones.
    • PBXs
    • Fax machines
    • Internet dial-up numbers
    • Speed dialers
    • Call forwarding settings
    • Voicemail services
  • Medical alert devices, safety alarms, security systems and gates, ankle monitors, or other similar equipment must be reprogrammed to use 1+10-digit dialing.
  • Many systems operate on 1+10-digit or 10-digit dialing by default, but some older equipment may still use 7 digits. To determine if your equipment requires reprogramming, contact your medical alert or security services providers for assistance.
  • Check your personal website(s), business stationery and advertising materials, printed checks, contact information, and personal or pet ID tags to ensure the 1+area code is included in the telephone number.
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