Telephone calls must now use all 10 digits (area code + phone number) for all local calls
Seven-digit dialing goes the way of the rotary phone, as phone numbers in 82 area codes in 36 states including certain Florida area codes (352, 561, 941, 321 in Brevard County only), now require to use of the full, ten-digit number (area code + phone number) for all local calls.
Ten-digit dialing went into effect on Sunday, Oct. 24, even for phone calls placed to other numbers with the same area code. Calls placed with only 7 digits won’t be completed, the Federal Communications Commission said.
The change will go into effect to allow a three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline, the FCC said. Wireless customers can already dial 988 to be connected to the hotline, while landline customers will have to wait until July 16, 2022, for three-digit dialing to go into effect.
All local calls dialed after Sunday, Oct. 24 with only seven digits may not be completed, and a recording may inform the customer that the call cannot be completed as dialed. If customers get this recording, they must hang up and dial again using the area code with the seven-digit phone number.
