Beginning October 24, 2021, the Federal Communications Commission will implement 10-digit dialing for 82 area codes across the United States. This may affect OneAZ members who live in regions that use area codes of 480, 520 and 928.
The transition to 10-digit dialing stems from the implementation of “988” as the new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This number will function like “911” as a nationwide three-digit number to connect Americans in crisis to suicide prevention and mental health counselors. The new, easy-to-remember number will be available across the country by July 16, 2022.
What is 10-Digit Dialing?
Ten-digit dialing requires callers to dial an area code plus the seven-digit phone number for local calls even if the area code you are calling is the same as your own. Eighty-two area codes in 35 states across the U.S. currently use “988” to route local calls. Because of the implementation of the new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, “988” will no longer be available to route local calls and 10-digit dialing will be required.
In Arizona, this transition will affect those living in regions with area codes of 480, 520 and 928. As of October 24, 2021, local calls made within those area codes using only seven-digits may not connect. You will be required to hang up and dial again using the area code and seven-digit number.
How will 10-Digit Dialing Affect OneAZ Members?
Members living in regions using area codes 480, 520 and 928 must use 10-digit dialing to complete local calls.
This will affect local calls to OneAZ branches within these area codes, including:
- Chino Valley – 928.777.6101
- Cottonwood – 928.649.7300
- Flagstaff Beaver St. – 928.213.6701
- Flagstaff US Highway 89 – 928.213.6802
- Prescott Gail Gardner Way – 928.777.6060
- Prescott Gurley St. – 928.777.6002
- Prescott Valley – 928.777.6121
- Safford – 928.348.2000
- Sedona Roadrunner Dr. – 928.649.7350
- Tucson Alvernon Way – 520.784.5000
- Tucson Oracle Rd. – 520.784.5100
- Oro Valley – 520.784.5179
Ten-Digit Dialing and Businesses
Businesses may also be affected by the transition to 10-digit dialing. The FCC warns that if your company uses a PBX or VoIP phone system, it may need to be reprogrammed or updated. Those updates can be done at any time and businesses do not need to wait until the October 24th transition date to start making the changes.
For more information on 10-digit dialing, visit https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/ten-digit-dialing.
