New 943 area code coming to the 404/470/678/770 area in Georgia

To ensure a continuing supply of new telephone numbers, the Georgia Public Service Commission has approved an all-services area code overlay for the 404/470/678/770 area code overlay region, which serves the metropolitan area of Atlanta and surrounding communities, including the TDS-served communities of Nelson and Marble Hill. The new 943 Number Plan Area (NPA) will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 404/470/678/770 area codes.

An overlay is the addition of another area code (943) to the same geographic region served by an existing area codes (404/470/678/770).  An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code, but will require new customers to be assigned the new area code. Customers will continue to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, as you do today, within and between the 404, 470, 678, 770, and new 943 area codes.

TDS Telecom (TDS^®) is alerting its customers in the area about the upcoming changes.

Beginning March 15, 2022, customers in the 404, 470, 678 and 770 area code overlay regions may be assigned a number in the new 943 area code when they request new service or an additional line.

What will you need to do?
Customers in the overlay region should:

•         Continue to dial 10 digits for all local calls, including calls within the same area code.

•         Continue to identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, and customers.

•         Ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 943 area code as a valid area code and continue to store or program telephone numbers as 10-digit numbers. Some examples include: stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors, and other similar equipment. 

•         Check items such as your website, personal and business stationery, printed checks, advertising materials, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?
•         Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.

•         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.

•         You will continue to dial 10 digits for local calls within and between the overlay area codes, and 1+10 digits for long distance calls.

•         You can still dial just three digits to reach 911, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 if those are currently available in your community.

Who may you contact with questions?
If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call 1-888-CALL-TDS or go to TDStelecom.com. You can also visit the Georgia Public Service Commission website at https://psc.ga.gov/about-the-psc/consumer-corner/telephone/general-information/area-codes/