According to the Federal Communications Commission, callers in 82 area codes will have to punch in their recipient’s area code before dialing their phone number. Local phone calls made without the area code may not be connected.
This includes 218 numbers in northern Minnesota.
Callers with the affected area codes used to be able to omit the first three digits for local calls (218) and use 988 as their local exchange number. Beginning yesterday, 10-digit dialing is required for both landlines and cell phones.
In 2020, “988” was designated by the FCC as the new three-digit phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and will be available countrywide by July 16 of next year. The FCC states that the code is easy to remember and easy to dial, akin to 911 and 311 for emergencies and local government services. As such, the 82 area codes that have allowed seven-digit dialing must switch to typing in all 10 numbers.
The transition won’t affect consumers’ existing phone numbers, according to the FCC.
Until the switch is complete, people who need to reach mental health counselors and help for suicide prevention should still dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or chat online.
For more information on ten-digit dialing, click here.
