Starting October 24, 2021, anyone with a telephone number from area codes 219 and 574 must begin dialing all their calls using 10-digit numbers, meaning the area code must be included in all calls for the call to be completed. NITCO is advising each of its customers to be aware of this change and to make preparations before it goes into effect.
The Federal Communications Commission is implementing this change as they transition the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline to a new three-digit number, 988. All nationwide area codes where 988 is a working prefix are enforcing mandatory 10 digit dialing to ensure there are no problems or accidental connections to the Suicide Lifeline.
“If you just dial 988, it’s going to immediately route to the suicide hotline,” said Jackie Coover, marketing manager for NITCO. “Every telephone provider has to put this information out there for their customers.”
On or after October 24, local seven-digit calls may not be completed, and you will need to hang up and dial again using the area code and seven-digit number. Then, beginning July 16, 2022, dialing 988 will immediately route you to the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline.
Be aware that this change will impact more than calls dialed by hand, it will also affect any services, automatic dialing equipment, and anything else programmed to make calls using seven-digit local numbers. These include life safety systems or medical devices, fax machines, fire or burglar alarms, speed dialers, your contact lists, and voicemail services, and much more.
You should also take care to ensure that anywhere your phone number is listed, such as websites, ads, or email signatures, list your number with 10-digits.
Other than seven-digit calls being phased out, most things will remain the same:
- Your telephone number and area code will not change.
- Prices and coverage areas will not change.
- Local calls are still local calls, despite the increase in digits dialed.
- You can still use 1+ area code and phone number for all calls, including long-distance.
- All three-digit services, such as 711, 911, and any 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, or 811 can still be reached by dialing their respective three-digit codes.
- The National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline can still be reached at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
For any questions regarding this change, please call NITCO’s customer service line at 219-996-2981, or visit the FCC’s website at https://www.fcc.gov/suicide-prevention-hotline.
