Mandatory 10-digit dialing is coming to your area due to an Federal Communications Commision (FCC) change starting on July 16th, 2022 – here is what impacted RingSquared customers need to know:
Read the official 516 Area Code Relief, Outreach and Education Plan
Who Will be Affected?
Anyone with a telephone number in these area codes will need to make the change from 7-digit local dialing to 10-digit local dialing.
| Alaska: 907 | Minnesota: 218, 952 |
| Alabama: 251 | Mississippi: 662 |
| Arkansas: 501 | Missouri: 314, 417, 660, 816 |
| Arizona: 480, 520, 928 | Montana: 406 |
| California: 209, 530, 562, 626, 650, 707, 925, 949, 951 | Nevada: 775 |
| Colorado: 719, 970 | New Hampshire: 603 |
| Delaware: 302 | New Jersey: 856, 908 |
| Florida: 321 (Brevard County), 352, 561, 941 | New Mexico: 505, 575 |
| Georgia:478, 912 | New York: 516, 607, 716 |
| Guam: 671 | North Carolina: 910 |
| Hawaii: 808 | Ohio: 440, 513 |
| Illinois: 309, 618, 708 | South Dakota: 605 |
| Indiana: 219, 574 | Tennessee: 731, 865 |
| Iowa: 319, 515 | Texas: 254, 361, 409, 806, 830, 915, 940 |
| Kansas: 620, 785 | Vermont: 802 |
| Kentucky: 859 | Virginia: 276, 804 |
| Louisiana: 337, 504 | Washington: 509 |
| Michigan: 616, 810, 906, 989 | Wisconsin: 262, 414, 608, 920 |
When Does this Change Begin?
Support for 10-digit dialing in impacted areas began on January 24th, 2022, so you can already make the switch to dialing 10-digit numbers (area code + telephone number) for all local calls. If you forget and dial the seven-digit number, your calls will still be completed until July 15th.
Beginning July 15th, 2022, you must make all local calls by dialing the 10-digit number. Beginning on July 15th, calls dialed with the seven-digit number will not be completed and a recording will play to inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. Please hang up and dial again using the correct 10-digit number.
Beginning on July 16th, 2022, users nation-wide can begin dialing 988 to call the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline.
Why is this Changing?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted 988 as the new three-digit number to be used nation-wide to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline, starting on July 16th, 2022.
For the new 988 number to work in your location, 10-digit local dialing must first be implemented. If your area code is listed above, you will need to change the way you dial local numbers.
Customers must continue to dial 1-800-273-TALK to reach the Lifeline until July 16th, 2022.
What is the New Dialing Procedure?
To make a local call, you will need to dial the area code + the telephone number.
This change applies to all calls within your area code that are currently reached by dialing only the seven-digit telephone number.
What Steps Do You Need to Take by July 16th?
In addition to changing the way you dial local numbers, please review and update all services, automatic dialing equipment, and any other equipment programmed to complete calls with the seven-digit numbers.
This may include:
- Life safety systems & medical monitoring devices
- PBXs
- Fax machines
- Internet dial-up numbers
- Fire, burglar & security system alerts
- Speed dials
- Phone contact lists
- Call forwarding settings
- Call routing settings
- Voicemail services
In addition, you will want to update your websites, advertising materials, and any other contact information with your correct 10-digit phone number.
What Will Remain Unchanged?
Most importantly, your telephone number (including your current area code) will not change.
Other things to be aware of:
- The price of calls, coverage areas & other rates and services will not change
- What is considered local for you now will remain local
- You will continue to dial +1 area code + telephone number to complete long distance calls
- You can continue to dial three digits to reach 711 (relay services) and 911 (emergency services)
- Any 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, or 811 services available in your community can still be reached by dialing their three-digit codes
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can still be reached by dialing 1-800-273-TALK
Questions about the new 10-digit dialing?
Please contact RingSquared with all your question at 800-427-Ring or email telcosupport@ringsquared.com.
You can learn more about the FCC changes at their website.
