By Tiffany Green
The Cullman Times
CULLMAN —
Calling next door will require a few more digits beginning Saturday, June 5. That's when 10-digit dialing begins in North Alabama, and all local calls will require the area code. Callers can now practice the 10-digit code before it becomes mandatory.
The PST’s telecommunications director, Darnel Baker, said people must dial the 10 digits or they will get a recorded prompt to hang up and try again.
“If you don’t dial the area code first, you will get a message that tells you to hang up and dial the area code first,” Baker said.
Baker said there will also be a new area code, 938, beginning July 10.
“We have approved an overlay of the area codes,” Baker said. “Anyone with the 256 number will keep it. On July 10, 938 will be released for companies to request when all the 256 numbers are used up.”
Baker explained numbers in the 256 area code may soon be used, so the new area code for new numbers will be needed in the future. He said it could be months before the new area code is needed. The Public Service Commission says the 256 area code is scheduled to run out of available phone numbers in early 2011.
“There are still some numbers left in the 256,” he explained. “It’s going to be in the future when we see the new area code used.”
The price of a call will not change because of the new area code or 10-digit dialing. A local call will remain a local call with no extra charges.
“There has been a lot of confusion about the toll,” Baker said. “If you get a message that tells you to hang up and dial a one or zero before the number, then it will be charged as a long distance call.”
Baker said Alabama is not the only state using the 10-digit dialing. He said Atlanta has used it for years and it is just something that is needed.
“In the future, we will go with an overlay in the 334 area code,” he said.
In addition to changing the dialing procedure, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed with a seven-digit telephone number will need to be reprogrammed to use the new 10-digit dialing procedure. Some examples are fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, mobile phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions. Users need to also check their business stationery, advertising materials, personal checks, and pets’ ID tags to ensure the area code is included.
The dialing procedure for three-digit services, such as 211, 911 and 411 will not change.
Counties affected by the new area code are Marshall, Morgan, Cullman, Blount, Clay, Coosa, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Colbert, DeKalb, Etowah, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Randolph, Tallapoosa, Chambers, Elmore, Franklin, Lee, Marion, St. Clair, Talladega and Winston.
For further questions, call the communication provider on your phone service bill.
The Details
The new 10-digit dialing will go into effect June 5. After this date, all calls, local and long distance will require using the 256 area code.
* Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
