Message-ID: <4881600d-0438-452f-21dc-720a62eb1f57@gmail.com>
Date: 14 Oct 2021 12:20:39 -0400
From: "George Smith" <geosmith@gmail.com>
Subject: Ten-Digit Phone Dialing Takes Effect Oct. 24th
Cut & Paste from a Dutchess County NY Press Release. The original release can
be found at
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYDUTCHESS/bulletins/2f77178
Ten-Digit Phone Dialing Takes Effect Oct. 24th
Under FCC change, County residents and businesses
in 845 and 914 must dial area code to make local calls
Poughkeepsie, NY - Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro today
reminded residents and businesses that starting Sunday, Oct. 24th, a
change by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will require
those living and working within area codes 845 or 914 to dial the area
code when they place local calls within those area codes; several
years ago, a similar change took effect for area code 518, the only
other area code within Dutchess County. Dialing 911 in the event of an
emergency will not be affected by this change; all preprogramed
numbers in Dutchess County's 911 Communications Center have been
updated.
The FCC has adopted 988 as a new three-digit number to be used
nationwide to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health
Crisis Lifeline, necessitating this new shift to 10-digit dialing in
the affected area codes; this change is occurring in 35 states since
there were 82 area codes, including 845 and 914, that use 988 as a
prefix. Wireless customers nationwide may dial either 988 or
1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach the Lifeline now; landline customers
must continue to dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach the Lifeline
until July 16, 2022. Additional information is available at
www.fcc.gov/suicide-prevention-hotline.
County Executive Molinaro said, "I encourage residents and businesses
to update the contacts' information in their mobile phones and similar
systems before the Oct. 24th switch-over to avoid any inconvenience
once the FCC's change takes place. This is an important change that
will make it easier for callers nationwide to contact the National
Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline and get the
assistance they need. The simple addition of three digits to local
phone calls can help save a life."
Beginning Oct. 24th, local calls dialed with only seven digits may not
be completed, and a recording may inform residents that their call
cannot be completed as dialed. If residents receive this recording,
they must hang up and dial again using the area code and the
seven-digit number.
[omitted list of things with phone numbers programmed or listed that
might have to be updated]
County Executive Molinaro reminded residents and businesses that their
telephone number, including current area code, will not change nor
will the price of a call, coverage area or other rates and
services. Residents throughout Dutchess County will continue to dial 1
+ area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls.
