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Ten-digit dialing to begin in Idaho next month |
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July 7, 2017 |
Beginning August 5, every local call in Idaho
will require using the area code. This change
from seven-digit dialing to 10-digit dialing
will affect every call, be it from an office
phone system, home phone or cell phone.
The second area code – “986” – will be issued to
new telephone numbers in the fall. Assigning the
986 code to only new numbers means that no
existing numbers will need to be changed.
However, all users will need to dial 10-digits
(area code, plus prefix, plus 4-digit number) to
have calls completed.
Long-distance or toll calls on landlines will
require a “1” before the area code, the same as
long-distance calls now require.
The second area code is necessary because
numbers under the 208 code are running out, due
primarily to increased use of cell phones, the
Internet, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP),
and other advancing technologies.
Most telecommunications devices, even landline
phones, now have number storage capability that
allows customers to program numbers into their
phones and reach their contacts with the press
of one or two buttons.
Customers should change the numbers they have
programmed into their phones to include the area
code. When mandatory 10-digit dialing begins
next August, all calls, even local calls,
without an area code will not be completed.
Callers will get a recording telling them to
hang up and dial again and include the area
code.
Local calls on landline phones will still not
cost anything, even though dialing the area code
will be required. The move to a second area code
will not impact rates.
Callers will still dial just three digits when
calling 911, 211, 411 and 811.
Customers should ensure all services such as
automatic dialing equipment, software or other
types of equipment recognize 986 as a valid area
code. Examples include life-safety systems,
facsimile machines, Internet dial-up numbers,
alarm and security systems, security gates,
ankle monitors, speed-dialers, call-forwarding
settings and voicemail services.
Contact your medical alert or security provider
if you are not sure whether your equipment needs
to be reprogrammed to accommodate 10-digit
dialing.
Idaho is one of few states that still has one
area code. The 208 code was issued in 1947. In
August 2001, Neustar, Inc., the administrator of
the North American Numbering Plan, projected
that Idaho would run out of available numbers
under its 208 area code by 2003.
In response, the commission implemented various
numbers conservation plans that have been
successful in delaying a second area code by 15
years.
While the commission acknowledged that 10-digit
dialing may be inconvenient for some, the move
to 10-digit dialing is inevitable due to
advancing technology, regardless of whether
Idaho had to acquire a second area code.
Developing technology “will eventually drive
seven-digit dialing into obsolescence,” the
commission said. “Thus, any future dialing
change and relief planning will be eased by the
implementation of 10-digit dialing now rather
than later.” |
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