What is Permissive Dialing?
The permissive dialing* period begins with the introduction of the new area code and generally lasts approximately six months. It provides a ‘get acquainted’ transition period for the new area code. Permissive dialing allows the old and new area code customers to call between the two area codes using seven-digit dialing. During this period, customers should begin to use the area code + the telephone number although calls will still complete if only the seven-digit telephone number is dialed. Customers, from outside the area, can call the new area code by dialing either the old or the new area code + the telephone number; the call will complete during the permissive period.
(* The permissive dialing period varies in length per commission decision)

What is Mandatory Dialing?
Approximately six months after the introduction of the new area code, an intercept recording* period will begin. At this time, callers must use the appropriate area code plus the telephone number. Calls incorrectly dialed will be referred to a recording throughout the recording period. It will inform the calling party that the new area code must be used to complete the call.

If you have family or friends deployed in the military outside of the United States, make sure they know and use your new area codes.

California 760-442 Area Code Overlay Information
Connecticut 203-475 Area Code Overlay Information & 860 10-digit dialing
Illinois 872-312/773 Area Code Overlay Information
Alabama 256-938 Area Code Overlay Information
Oregon 541-458 Area Code Overlay Information
Wisconsin 715-534 Area Code Overlay Information

California 760-442 Area Code Overlay Information
How does this impact my wireline or wireless phone?
No changes will be made to current 760 phone numbers. The 442 area code will now begin covering the same geographical area as the 760 area code.

Who is affected?
The new 442 area code will serve customers in the same geographic region as the current 760 area code. This is known as an area code overlay.

What will be the New Dialing Procedure?

To complete calls from a landline phone, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial 1 + area code + telephone number. This means that all calls in the 760 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to be dialed using 1+ area code + telephone number.

To complete calls from a cellular or mobile phone, callers may dial the area code + telephone number or 1 + area code and telephone number whenever placing a call from a phone number with the 760 or 442 area code.

When Will the Change Begin?

• Effective May 2, 2009, you should begin using the new dialing procedure whenever you place a call from the 760 area code. If you forget and use the old dialing procedure of dialing just seven digits, your call will still be completed.
• Beginning October 24, 2009, you must use the new dialing procedure for all calls. After this date, if you do not use the new dialing procedure, your call will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.

When will the 442 Area Code be Assigned?
Customers seeking new telephone numbers in the affected region may be assigned a new telephone number with the new 681 area code as early as November 21, 2009.

Connecticut 203-475 Area Code Overlay Information & 860 10-digit dialing
How does this impact my wireline or wireless phone?
No changes will be made to current 203 phone numbers. The 475 area code will now begin covering the same geographical area as the 203 area code. No changes will be made to current 860 phone numbers, a new area code to service the same geographical area will be announced at a later date.

Who will be Affected?
The new 475 area code will serve customers in the same geographic region as the current 203 area code. This is known as an area code overlay.

What will be the New Dialing Procedure?
To complete calls from a landline phone, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial 1 + area code + telephone number. This means that all calls in the 203 or 860 area codes that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to be dialed using 1+ area code + telephone number.

To complete calls from a cellular or mobile phone, callers may dial the area code + telephone number or 1 + area code and telephone number whenever placing a call from a phone number with the 203, 475 or 860 area code.

When Will the Change Begin?
Effective May 16, 2009, you should begin using the new dialing procedure whenever you place a call from the 203 or 860 area codes. If you forget and use the old dialing procedure of dialing just seven digits, your call will still be completed.

Beginning November 14, 2009, you must use the new dialing procedure for all calls. After this date, if you do not use the new dialing procedure, your call will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.

When will the 475 Area Code be Assigned?
Customers seeking new telephone numbers in the affected region may be assigned a new telephone number with the new 475 area code as early as December 12, 2009.

What is the impact to 860 area code?
The customers in the 860 area code are moving to 10 digit dialing on April 1, 2009. Ten digit dialing will be required to complete calls on November 14, 2009. An additional area code will be introduced into the 860 geographic area in 2010.

Illinois 872-312/773 Area Code Overlay Information
Due to increased demand for telephone numbers, the Illinois Commerce Commission approved the addition of a new area code, 872, for the same geographic area as the 312 and 773 area codes.

Everyone should now begin dialing all local calls using 1+ area code + 7-digit telephone number. Effective November 7, 2009, all calls must be dialed using this new dialing procedure.

What is the New Dialing Procedure?
To complete local calls, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial 1 + the area code + telephone number. This means that all calls in the 312 or 773 area codes need to be dialed using 1 + the area code + telephone number.

When Will the Change Begin?
Beginning November 7, 2009, you must use the new dialing procedure for all local calls. After this date, if you do not use the new dialing procedure, your call will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.

All customers should begin using the new dialing procedure before November 7, 2009.

Why is the Change Necessary?
To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the 872 area code is being added to the area served by both the 312 & 773 area codes. Since more than one area code will now serve the same geographic region, 1 + the area code must be used when dialing any telephone number- including calls within the same area code. Beginning November 7, 2009, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the new 872 area code.

What Will You Need to Do?
In addition to dialing the 1 + area code + telephone number for all local telephone calls, you may also need to:

• Update any preprogrammed 7-digit telephone numbers in your handset to include the 1+ area code, as well as any text or email alert services.
• Reprogram all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed with a 7-digit telephone number to include the 1+ area code. Some examples are life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, security gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions.
• Check your websites, business stationery, advertising materials, personal checks, contact information, and your ID tags to ensure the 1+ 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 regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• You will still dial just three digits to reach 911.
• If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811 are currently available in your community; you will still dial them with just three digits.

Alabama 256-938 Area Code Overlay Information
To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the Public Service Commission of Alabama (PSC) has approved the addition of the 938 area code for the geographic region currently served by the 256 area code. This is called an Area Code Overlay.

How Will This Affect Me?
Because of the addition of the 938 area code, all customers within the 256/938 geographic region will need to dial the area code followed by the 7-digit telephone number when dialing all local calls.

What is the Dialing Change?
To complete local calls, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial the full 10-digit telephone number. This means that all calls from the 256 area code that are currently dialed with 7-digits will need to be dialed using the area code + 7-digit telephone number.

However, long distance calls will remain the same. Callers need to dial 1 + area code + 7-digit telephone number whenever placing a long distance call from the 256 or 938 area code.

When Will These Changes go Into Effect?
Effective November 7, 2009, you should begin using the new dialing procedure whenever you place local calls from the 256 area code. If you forget and use the old dialing procedure of dialing just 7-digits, your call will still be completed.

Beginning June 5, 2010, you must use the new dialing procedure for all local calls. After this date, if you do not use the new dialing procedure, your call will not be completed and a recording will provide instructions on how to redial your call.

Beginning July 10, 2010, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the 938 area code.

What Will Change?

• You will need to dial 10-digits (area code + 7-digit telephone number) for every local call.
• You may need to reprogram or upgrade your equipment if you use specialized communications equipment like a PBX, electronic telephone sets, auto-dial systems or multi-line key systems in order to use the new dialing procedure.
• Some automatically dialed calls may require reprogramming to include the new dialing procedure. These calls may include: life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions.
• Check your websites, business stationery, advertising materials, personal checks, contact information and your ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

What Will Remain the Same?

• Your telephone number, which includes your area code, will remain the same.
• The price of a call, local and long-distance calling areas and other rates and services of your telecommunication provider will not change as a result of the Area Code Overlay. What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• You will still dial just three digits to reach 911.
• If the 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811 numbers are currently available in your community, or from your provider, you will still dial them with just three digits.

Oregon 541-458 Area Code Overlay Information
How Will This Affect Me?
Because of the addition of the 458 area code, all customers within the 541/458 geography will need to dial the correct area code followed by the 7-digit telephone number when dialing a 541 or 458 number.

What is the Dialing Change?

To complete local calls, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial the full 10-digit telephone number. This means that all calls in the 541 area code that are currently dialed with 7-digits will need to be dialed using the area code + 7-digit telephone number. Additionally, local calls from some Oregon communities that border the states of California, Idaho, Nevada, and Washington will need to be dialed with the appropriate area code.

However, long distance calls will remain the same. Callers need to dial 1 + area code + 7-digit telephone number whenever placing a long distance call from the 541 or 458 area code.

When Will These Changes go Into Effect?
Effective July 12, 2009, you should begin using the new dialing procedure whenever you place local calls from the 541 area code. If you forget and use the old dialing procedure of dialing just 7-digits, your call will still be completed.

Beginning January 10, 2010, you must use the new dialing procedure for all local calls. After this date, if you do not use the new dialing procedure, your call will not be completed, and a recording will provide instructions on how to redial your call.

Beginning February 10, 2010, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the 458 area code.

What Will Change?

• You will need to dial 10-digits (area code + 7-digit telephone number) for every local call.
• You may need to reprogram or upgrade your equipment if you use specialized communications equipment like a PBX, electronic telephone sets, auto-dial systems or multi-line key systems to use the new dialing procedure.
• Some automatically dialed calls may require reprogramming to include the new dialing procedure. These calls may include: life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions.
• Check your websites, business stationary, advertising materials, personal checks, contact information, and your ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

What Will Remain the Same?

• Your telephone number, which includes your area code, will remain the same.
• The price of a call, local and long-distance calling areas, and other rates and services will not change as a result of the Area Code Overlay. What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• You should still dial just three digits to reach 911.
• If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811 are currently available in your community, you will still dial them with just three digits.

Wisconsin 715-534 Area Code Overlay Information
How Will This Affect Me?
Because of the addition of the 534 area code, all customers within the 715/534 geography will need to dial the area code followed by the 7-digit telephone number when dialing all local calls.

What is the Dialing Change?
To complete local calls, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial the full 10-digit telephone number. This means that all calls from the 715 area code that are currently dialed with 7-digits will need to be dialed using the area code + 7-digit telephone number.

However, long distance calls will remain the same. Callers need to dial 1 + area code + 7-digit telephone number whenever placing a long distance call from the 715 or 534 area code.

When Will These Changes go Into Effect?
Effective October 17, 2009, you should begin using the new dialing procedure whenever you place local calls from the 715 area code. If you forget and use the old dialing procedure of dialing just 7-digits, your call will still be completed.

Beginning July 17, 2010, you must use the new dialing procedure for all local calls. After this date, if you do not use the new dialing procedure, your call will not be completed and a recording will provide instructions on how to redial your call.

Beginning August 14, 2010, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the 534 area code.

What Will Change?

• You will need to dial 10-digits (area code + 7-digit telephone number) for every local call.
• You may need to reprogram or upgrade your equipment if you use specialized communications equipment like a PBX, electronic telephone sets, auto-dial systems or multi-line key systems in order to use the new dialing procedure.
• Some automatically dialed calls may require reprogramming to include the new dialing procedure. These calls may include: life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions.
• Check your websites, business stationery, advertising materials, personal checks, contact information and your ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

What Will Remain the Same?

• Your telephone number, which includes your area code, will remain the same.
• The price of a call, local and long-distance calling areas and other rates and services of your telecommunication provider will not change as a result of the Area Code Overlay. What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• You will still dial just three digits to reach 911.
• If the 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811 numbers are currently available in your community, or from your provider, you will still dial them with just three digits.