Area Codes (original) (raw)
FCC AREA CODE FACT SHEET
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSIONFACT SHEET
August 1995AREA CODE CHANGES ARE COMING SOON TO AN AREA NEAR YOU DIAL FOR HELP TODAY -- DON'T DELAY!
More than a dozen new area codes are planned for areas around the country from Chicago to Alabama to Seattle to Connecticut to California. In addition, a new toll free code -- 888 -- will soon meet the demand for new toll free telephone numbers.
Some telephone equipment needs to be modified in order for you to be able to call these new area codes.
INTERCHANGEABLE AREA CODES
Due to increasing demand for new telephone numbers, to serve pagers, cellular telephones, facsimile machines and other new services, some areas of the country have run through all combinations of telephone numbers using their current area code. That's why for many areas of the country, new area codes are being opened up to provide new telephone numbers.
Until recently, the second digit of an area code for a telephone number has always been "0" or "1". In order to expand the universe of available numbers, interchangeable area codes, which may use any number from 2 through 9 as the second digit, have been introduced. These new, interchangeable area codes expand the total number of available telephone numbers to more than 6 billion.
When all area codes had a "1" or a "0" as the second digit, it was easy for telephone equipment to recognize calls to different areas. Some equipment can't recognize interchangeable area codes and may attempt to complete the call to a ten-digit number after the first seven digits are dialed, sending the call to the party with that seven-digit local number instead of the party with the long distance number. This equipment needs to be modified to allow those calls to go through to the party the caller intended to reach.
ACT TODAY, AVOID DIALING DIFFICULTY TOMORROW
People who live in areas that will be served by new interchangeable area codes need to be aware of possible changes to their own or neighboring numbers. And no matter where you live, you may find yourself trying to call one of these new area codes, such as the new toll free area code.
Take steps now to ensure that you won't have a problem the first time you find yourself trying to call one of these new area codes.
Ask your telecommunications manager whether you will be able to reach these new areas.
WHAT TO DO TO DIAL-THROUGH
If you are unable to reach a number in a new interchangeable area code, you may hear a "fast busy" signal -- a series of tones sounding similar to a busy signal only repeating more quickly -- or an announcement, such as "We're sorry, your call cannot be completed as dialed. Please check the number and dial again."
When a relief area code is introduced, callers typically enjoy a permissive dialing period during which time they can use either the current or the relief area code to place their call. During the permissive dialing period, try using the new area code to confirm that your call can be completed. After the permissive dialing period is over, you will have to use the relief code exclusively.
If your call cannot be completed:
o If you are calling from a location where customer premises equipment, such as a PBX, may be used, contact the individual or office responsible for your telecommunications equipment.
o If you are calling from a payphone, contact the payphone provider, using the number on the payphone.
o If you have trouble when calling from a residence or other location that hould be able to place calls to the relief area code, contact your local telephone company to advise them of the problem. You can reach your local telephone company by dialing "0" or by calling the customer service number, typically located in the front of phone directories.
o Once the permissive period ends, if you have trouble placing a call into a relief area code, you can reach the party you are calling by dialing "0" and asking the operator to complete the call for you. You may also reach that party by calling collect, by using a calling card or an 800 number, if the party you are calling has one, or by using a standard telephone line that is not connected through your PBX.
o You should also contact your telecommunications manager, payphone provider or local telephone company to ensure that the problem is corrected.
HELP IS JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY
If you continue to have difficulties in using the new area codes, report the situation to the Federal Communications Commission at the address listed below.
To ensure that we have an accurate record of the problem, please send your complaint in writing by mail or facsimile to:
Numbers
Domestic Facilities Division
Federal Communications Commission
2025 M Street, N.W.
Mail Stop 1600B2
Washington, DC 20554
Fax: 202-418-2345Questions regarding the introduction of interchangeable area codes can be addressed to:
Jim Deak
North American Numbering Plan Administration
Bellcore
Room 1G-278
6 Corporate Place
Piscataway, NJ 08854-4157
Ph: 908-699-6612
Fax: 908-336-3293
COMING SOON TO AN AREA NEAR YOU
The following chart lists those locations that have begun using using interchangeable area codes or will do so within the next year.
The "current code" lists the area code currently being used. The "relief code" lists the interchangeable area code that will be introduced into an area (note: not all numbers using the current code will be required to use the new interchangeable code). The "permissive period" indicates that period of time during which callers can use either the current or the relief area code to reach a number that will later use the relief code exclusively.
Location Current Code Relief Code Permissive End of Permissive
Toll Free 800 888 available: 3/1/96
Alabama 205 334 1/15/95 5/13/95
Washington State 206 360 1/15/95 8/20/95
Houston 713 281 3/1/95 3/1/96
Phoenix 602 520 3/19/95 10/22/95
Colorado 303 970 4/2/95 10/1/95
Tampa 813 941 5/28/95 3/3/96
Virginia 703 540 7/15/95 1/27/96
Atlanta 404 770 8/1/95 12/1/95
Connecticut 203 860 8/28/95 10/4/96
Tennessee 615 423 9/11/95 2/26/96
Bermuda 809 441 10/1/95 9/30/96
Miami 305 954 11/95 To Be Determined
Oregon 503 541 11/5/95 6/30/96
South Carolina 803 864 12/3/95 5/1/96
North Florida 904 (ALLTEL area stays in 904) 352 (Southern Bell area changes to 352) 12/3/95 5/20/96
Missouri 314 573 1/7/96 7/7/96
Chicago 708 847 1/20/96 4/20/96
Dallas 214 972 2/1/96 8/1/96
So. California 310 562 2/1/97 To Be Determined
Ohio 216 330 1Q96 To Be Determined
Chicago 708 630 8/3/96 11/30/96
British Columbia 604 250 10/19/96 5/3/97/