10-Digit Dialing

10-Digit Dialing Began March 31, 2012.

The growing population in central North Carolina and addition of devices that require a phone number is exhausting the available numbers in the 919 area code. The NC Utilities Commission has announced a new area code is coming to the 919 region. The new 984 area code will overlay the 919 area code bringing 10-digit dialing to the region. You won't have to change telephone numbers, just the way you dial in the 919 area code. The new 984 area code will be assigned only for new telephone numbers within the area code.

Effective March 31, 2012, 10-digit dialing - the appropriate area code (919 or 984) + the seven-digit number - will be necessary for local and expanded local calls. It will not be necessary to dial a "1" or a "0" when dialing your local and expanded local calls. Local calling areas and rates will not be affected by this change.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who will be affected?

  • The new 984 area code will serve customers in the same geographic region as the current 919 area code that generally covers communities such as Raleigh, Durham, Wake Forest, Wendell, Knightdale, Cary, Zebulon, and Chapel Hill. This is known as an area code overlay.


What do I need to do?

  • Start using 10-digit dialing now so it will be second nature by the time is it required on March 31. In addition to changing your dialing procedure, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed with a seven-digit number must be reprogrammed to use the new dialing procedure. Some examples are PBX, life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, and voicemail services.
  • Update all stored local telephone numbers to include the area code. If you have security systems you may need to contact your vendor to determine reprogramming needs for 10-digit local dialing.
  • Check your web content, stationery and other printed materials to ensure the area code is included. Since your area code remains the same, there is no need to reprint items that already contain your area code.


What is the new dialing procedure?

  • To complete local calls, the new dialing procedure requires you to dial the area code + telephone number. This means that all calls in the 919 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to be dialed using the area code + number.


When will the change happen?

  • Beginning March 31, 2012, you must use the new dialing procedure for all local calls. After this date, if you do not use the new dialing procedure, your call will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.
  • After March 17, you must use 10-digit dialing from Voice over IP numbers (996 prefix).

Beginning April 30, 2012, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the 984 area code.


What will remain the same?

Current telephone numbers, including current area code, will not change.

  • The price of a call, coverage area, and other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
  • Calls now considered local will remain local calls regardless of the number of digits dialed.
  • Three-digit dialing of emergency and information numbers like 211 and 911 will remain the same.
  • Long-distance and toll calls still require dialing 1 + area code + number.