Optional 10-digit dialing starts August 5 for Tennessee’s 423 area code

Area code overlay bringing a change in dialing procedure

TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS®) is sharing an important reminder regarding the new 729 area code overlay with its Tennessee customers. Starting today, August 5, 10-digit dialing is active in the following TDS serving areas: Ball Play, Cokercreek, Englewood, Niota, Riceville, Tellico Plains, and Vonore. Calls using 7-digits will still be automatically connected until February 5, 2025 to give consumers time to adjust.

This change is due to action by the Tennessee Public Utility Commission. With new telephone numbers in high demand, the comission approved the addition of the new 729 area code to the existing 423 area code region. The process of adding a second area code to a geographic region is known as an area code overlay.

Existing phone numbers will not change as a result of this overlay, however, customers will be required to dial the area code and the 7-digit telephone number to complete local calls. The price of local calling, or other rates and services, will not change due to the overlay. You can also still dial 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811 where available.

When will the change begin?

Starting August 5, 2024, you should begin to use 10-digit dialing when making local calls. For six-months following this date, however, 7-digit calls will be still completed to give callers time to adjust to the new local call dialing procedure.

Starting February 5, 2025, all local calls made within the 423 area code must be dialed using 10 digits (area code + the 7-digit telephone number). On and after this date, calls using only 7 digits will not be completed and will be routed to an announcement.

Starting March 5, 2025, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers from the new 729 area code. The new 729 area code will co-exist everywhere in this region with the 423 area code. Anyone receiving a 729 number will be required to dial 10 digits as well.  

What do you need to do?

·        Dial the area code + telephone number for all local calls, including calls within the same area code starting August 5, 2024.

·        Continue to dial 1 + area code + telephone number for long distance calls.

·        Include the area code when giving your phone number to friends, family, business associates and customers, etc.

·        Ensure all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of technology are reprogrammed to include the area code and to recognize the new 729 area code as a valid area code. Some examples include life-safety systems and medical monitoring devices, fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates, cordless and mobile phone contact lists, fax machines, call forwarding settings, and voicemail services. Any needed reprogramming must be done between August 5, 2024, and February 5, 2025.

·        Update 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, 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 code, and 1+10 digits for 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 those are currently available in your community.

Who may you contact with questions?

Visit the Tennessee Public Utility Commission website at: https://www.tn.gov/tpuc/news.html. You can also reach out to TDS Telecommunications at 888-CALL-TDS (888-225-5837) or visit www.tdstelecom.com.