Beginning on Saturday, Apr. 24, 2021, everyone in northern Indiana’s 219 and 574 telephone area codes is encouraged to start using 10 digits, rather than seven, to make local phone calls. (For
example, callers should start dialing “219-555-5555” or “574-555-5555” instead of “555-5555.”) This will help everyone ease into the upcoming transition to mandatory 10-digit dialing for local calls within the 219 and 574 area codes.
Effective Apr. 24, 2021, you should start using 10 digits whenever you place a local call from the 219 or 574 area code (dialing the area code followed by the number’s remaining digits). If you forget and dial just seven digits (through Oct. 24, 2021), your call will still be completed.
Starting on Oct. 24, 2021, you must use 10-digit dialing for all local phone calls. After this date, if you do not use 10 digits, your call will not be completed and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.
Beginning July 16, 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will be reachable by calling the three-digit 9-8-8 code. The lifeline can be reached before and after that date at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the local dialing plan changing?
On July 16, 2020, the FCC adopted an Order (FCC 20-100) approving 988 as the 3-digit abbreviated dialing code to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, starting July 16, 2022. Customers must continue to dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach the Lifeline until July 16, 2022. The Order requires all telecommunications carriers, interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers, and one-way VoIP providers (covered providers) to make any network changes necessary to ensure that users can dial 988 to reach the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by July 16, 2022. For 988 to work in the above area codes, 10-digit local dialing must first be implemented.
Why is 10-digit dialing going to be required in these area codes?
The FCC ordered that any area code that has the 988 prefix assigned and has 7-digit local dialing be transitioned to 10-digit local dialing to ensure everyone is able to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline using the 3-digit 988 code. Area codes 219 and 574 still have 7-digit dialing for local calls and 988 was previously assigned to customers as a working prefix.
Does this apply to all customers in these area codes?
Yes. Implementation of the FCC’s Order requires all communications service providers to make 10-digit dialing mandatory for all local calls in area codes 219 and 574 as shown in blue on the map above. Areas shown in yellow on the map above are not affected by this change.
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 7-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 remain the same?
- Your telephone number, including 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 when dialing from a multi-line telephone system (e.g., in a hotel, office building, etc.) as required.
- You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 for emergency services.
- You can continue to use three digits to dial 211 (social services), 411 (directory assistance), 711 (telecommunications relay service), or 811 (call to request utility locate before you dig).
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can still be reached by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255) even after the 988 code is in effect.
Will a caller be able to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 and no other digits when calling from a Multi-Line Telephone System (MLTS)?
No. Callers will still be expected to dial a prefix (such as “9”) first when dialing 988 from a multi-line telephone system (i.e., in a hotel, office building, etc.). The FCC Order declined to require multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) to allow callers to reach the Lifeline by dialing 988 and no other digits.
Still have questions?
Customers with questions about the dialing change should contact their local service provider, or they can visit the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) website at https://nationalnanpa.com/transition_to_10_digit_dialing_for_988/index.html