25 Oct 2021 Ten-digit dialing is now required for all Arkansas callers
As of Oct. 24, Arkansas callers must dial the area code plus telephone number for local calls. The change to ten-digit calling is necessary to accommodate the national “988” National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which takes effect July 2022.
Why is the 988-prefix changing to a three-digit abbreviated dialing code?
On July 16, 2020, the FCC adopted an Order (FCC 20-100) approving the designation of 988 as the three-digit abbreviated dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, requiring all telecommunications carriers to make any network changes necessary to ensure that users can dial 988 to reach the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) starting July 16, 2022.
What is the impact of making the 988 a three-digit dialing code?
In the area codes where the 988 is a working prefix, local calls will have to be dialed using all 10-digits of the phone number, even if they are in the same area code. To complete all local calls, you will need to dial the area code + telephone number (or 1+ area code + telephone number depending on dialing plan). This applies to all calls within these area codes that are currently dialed with seven digits. In all, there are 82 area codes in 36 states that are impacted by this change.
Will everyone in the area codes above have to dial 10-digits (or 1+10-digits) for a local call or just the people with 988 numbers?
Every customer will change to mandatory 10-digit (or 1+10-digit) dialing for local calls. Dialing seven digits for local calls will be prohibited for all customers in the entire area code.
Why is 10-digit dialing going to be required in these area codes?
The FCC ordered that these area codes must be transitioned to 10-digit (or 1+10-digit) local dialing to ensure everyone can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline using the three-digit 988 code.
Will I have to change my phone number?
No. One of the reasons for changing to 10-digit local dialing is to avoid the need to change people’s telephone numbers.
When will 10-digit local dialing become mandatory?
Beginning Oct. 24, if you have a number in one of these area codes, you must dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number) or 1+10 digits (1+area code+telephone number depending on dialing plan) for all local calls. On and after this date, local calls dialed with only seven digits may not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. If you get this recording, you must hang up and dial again using the area code with the seven-digit telephone number.
What other changes need to be made?
In addition to changing your dialing patterns, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to complete local calls using only seven-digit numbers will need to be reprogrammed to complete calls to 10-digit numbers. Some examples are:
- life safety systems or medical monitoring devices
- PBXs
- fax machines
- Internet dial-up numbers
- fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates
- speed dialers
- mobile or other wireless phone contact lists
- call forwarding settings
- voicemail services and other similar functions
Be sure to check your website, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, contact information, your personal or pet ID tags, and other such items to ensure the area code is included.
What will stay the same?
- Your telephone number, including the current area code, will not change.
- The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the dialing change.
- What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
- You will continue to dial 1+ the area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls.
- You will continue to dial a prefix (such as “9”) when dialing from a multi-line telephone system (i.e., in a hotel, office building, etc.) as required.
- You can still dial just three digits to reach 711 (relay services) and 911 (emergency services).
When can I begin dialing “988” to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline?
Beginning July 16, 2022, dialing “988” will route your call to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Customers should continue to dial 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) to reach the Lifeline until July 16, 2022.
Information provided by Conway Corporation.
