Mandatory ten-digit dialing takes effect Feb. 11 in New York’s 315 area code

TDS Telecom alerts residents and businesses in west-central New York of coming change.

Beginning February 11, 2017, mandatory ten digits dialing — area code + telephone number — takes effect in the 315 area code. It will impact residents and businesses in west-central New York. The change, which requires 10-digit dialing for all local calls, will impact TDS Telecom (TDS^®) customers in areas around Cape Vincent, Chaumont, Dexter, Edwards, Hermon, Knoxboro, Oneida, Oriskany Falls, Port Byron, Savannah, and Vernon.

Known as an “Area Code Overlay,” the addition of the new area code — 680 — was approved by the New York Department of Public Service to ensure an ongoing supply of telephone numbers in the area. Beginning on March 11, phone numbers with the new 680area code may begin to be assigned.

An Area Code Overlay is when two area codes serve the same region. In these instances, the Federal Communications Commission requires callers to change the way they dial local calls. While customers do not have to change their existing area code or phone number, they will be required to ten-digit dial all local calls (area code and seven-digit telephone number).

What residents and businesses need to know about the area code overlay:

• Existing phone numbers in the 315 area code will not change.
• The price for calls, local and long-distance calling areas, and other rates and services provided by TDS will not change due to the Area Code Overlay. What’s a local call now remains a local call, regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• The dialing procedure for long distance or operator assisted calls will not change.
• 911 remains a three-digit dial. If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811 are currently available, they will remain a three-digit dial.

Dates to keep in mind:

• February 11, 2017: “Mandatory” ten-digit local dialing begins. Customers in the 315 area code must use ten-digit dialing for all local calls, otherwise, calls will not be completed and a recording will instruct callers to hang up and dial again.
• March 11, 2017: Phone numbers with the new 680 area code may begin to be assigned.

In addition to changing dialing procedures, customers are encouraged to begin reprogramming automatic dialing equipment and other devices programmed with seven digits. This includes life-alert safety systems, PBX systems, fax machines, internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, and voicemail services. All such devices will need to be reprogrammed with ten-digits (area code + telephone number) by February 11, 2017.

Residents and businesses should also check with security and alarm companies to make sure their systems are programmed to handle the new dialing pattern.

For more information, visit the New York Department of Public Service or contact TDS at 888-CALL-TDS (888-225-5837).