Ten-digit local dialing is coming to 570 area code in Pennsylvania
TDS® informs Pennsylvania residents and businesses in the 570 area code to prepare for area code overlay
Beginning today, Pennsylvania residents and businesses in the 570 area code can start dialing ten digits — area code + telephone number — when making local calls. Beginning Sept. 21, 2013, everyone in the 570 area code will be required to dial ten digits (area code + telephone number).
TDS Telecommunications Corp. (TDS®) is alerting residents and businesses in northeastern Pennsylvania of the upcoming changes. The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission approved the addition of the 272 area code. This change, known as an “Area Code Overlay” affects Pennsylvania residents served by the 570 area code in communities such as Scranton, Williamsport and Wilkes-Barre. The change ensures availability of an ongoing supply of telephone numbers in northeastern Pennsylvania.
When two area codes serve the same region, rules of the Federal Communications Commission require 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 consumers and businesses need to know about the area code overlay:
Existing phone numbers in the 570 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 new 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 available currently, they will remain a three-digit dial.
Dates to keep in mind
Effective immediately: “permissive” ten-digit dialing period begins; callers should begin using the new dialing procedure. If callers forget to use the area code and dial only the seven-digit number, calls will be completed during this permissive phase.
September 21, 2013: “mandatory” ten-digit local dialing begins. Customers in the 570 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.
October 21, 2013: Phone numbers with the new 272 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 PBX systems, electronic telephone sets, auto-dial systems, multi-line key systems, life safety 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 Sept. 21, 2013.
Customers should also check with security or alarm companies to make sure their systems are programmed to handle the new dialing pattern.
For more information, please visit http://www.puc.state.pa.us/consumer_info/telecommunications/area_codes.aspx or contact TDS at 888-CALL-TDS (888-225-5837).
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