Area Code For Local Calls

[seekermeister]

I was about to call my telephone service to complain that each time that I tried to place a local call, that I got a recording instructing me to dial the area code first. I figured for sure that there was something wrong at their end of affairs.

But I just received a shipment from UPS, and the driver mentioned that it was lucky that someone let him in the building, because the call box didn't work. Asking about that, he said that it was marked that it had to be reprogrammed to add the area code. Because of my surprise, he explained that this became necessary since this last Saturday. This leaves me wondering if this is just where I live, or nationwide? I don't understand how this helps the telephone company any, it has worked well as it was as long as I can remember.

 

[seekermeister]

67 views in 10 hours, and no one can say at least whether this is in effect in their own local area?

 

[DocBrown]

In Greater Phoenix, Az there are 3 area codes for local calls 602, 480, 623 . You have to dial the 10 digit number for a local call because many of the 7 digit numbers are duplicated and available in each local area code. The original 602 area code ran out of available numbers, so they added 2 more local area codes. With all the cell phones nowadays, phone numbers are getting used up rapidly.

 

[profdlp]

In days of yore, they would add a new area code when things were nearing capacity but still try to maintain a geographical distinction between them. In other words, you could tell which city someone lived in solely by their area code. For instance, where I used to live in Northern Virginia it was all 703; the rest of the state was 804. Some smaller states had one area code for the entire state. (This may still be true, for all I know.) If they did run short of numbers they would shrink a couple of regions geographically and plant a new region and code in the gap created, meaning that someone who had had the same number for 40 years might suddenly have a new area code. Needless to say, people who got shifted felt shafted.

This got to be an even bigger problem when Fax machines were all the rage 25+ years ago and started sucking up more of the available free numbers. Then along came cell phones. So many people were getting forced into new, different area codes that it got to be a real headache, both for the people involved and the phone company. Then some bright soul got the idea of interleaving area codes, leaving geography out of it altogether. The good news was that once you had a phone number it was unlikely to ever change again. The bad news was that you might have to dial all ten digits to call your next-door-neighbor, even if he was in the same area code. If your neighbor was in a different area code then you obviously would have to do that anyway. For a while back in Virginia the deal was that you only needed to dial seven digits for same-area-code calls. When they moved everybody to ten-digit dialing, all the time no matter what, lots of people complained about having to "dial long-distance" to call across the street. They also added the "1" prefix (1-xxx-xxx-xxxx) so the automatic switchboards new right off the bat that it was going to be an actual long-distance call, and not just a standard (local) ten-digit local call.

 

[A Guy]

We have had to dial the area code for some years here. They have split our area and we all got a new area code many years ago too. With all the cell phones and such, they are running out or numbers. Have they recently added a new area code near you? I see where Santa Clara country (Silicon Valley), is adding a new area code. This is from the article, this is the evolution of the Bay Area's area codes:

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A Guy

 

[seekermeister]

My area code is somewhat different than most, because it covers the largest area in the nation. The reason for this is that it was the means settled on for the telephone company to pay their customers back for massive overcharges that they were responsible for, as determined in court. The entire state is covered by only 2 area codes, and the town that I live in is in the middle of one of them.

This new policy sounds as though they are preparing to start splitting up the area codes, for reasons similar to those mentioned above, but that would go against the previous court settlement, because it would effectively make local calls cover a much smaller area. Whatever the reason, it is a hassle that I wish was not required.

I also hope that the apt management where I live reprogrammed the call box yesterday, because I have another package that should arrive today, and if UPS has trouble getting in the door, I'll probably have to go across town to pick it up.

 

[richyrichuk]

ever thought of putting your mobile number on for UPS? solve this problem. its only a case of the correct area code.

 

[seekermeister]

That might work...if I had a mobile number.

 

[richyrichuk]

just thought u may have had 1 considering there are more mobiles than people now. thats all. an not sure about the US. but in uk can get a sim card for free or 99pence and a 2nd hand phone for virtually nothing off ebay if u dont care about the age, so very little u can have a mobile.

 

[seekermeister]

Actually, I have a cell phone, but I don't know if it still works, it has been in the closets for several years now. It is simply that I usually have no use for it.

 

[richyrichuk]

no use apart from giving it to the UPS driver?

fair enough if u dont have a use for it, but to save the issues getting stuff del.

 

[seekermeister]

In a round about way, what you said has some merit, but if I went to the trouble and expense of reactivating my cell phone, I would not give it to UPS. I found a sticker on the outside of the building earlier today, saying that they couldn't gain access to the building. I called UPS and asked that they would have the driver call either the office or myself when they redelivered tomorrow, but they claimed that the drivers don't have telephones...despite the fact that a few months ago, when one of their drivers simply didn't know how to use the call box, had to turn around and come back for the delivery, they had him call me, so that I could go downstairs and teach him how to use it.

We settle on them delaying this shipment until next week, because there is a notice on the entry that says that is when the call box will be reprogrammed. I simply don't want to have to drive across town to pick it up. There are some other things that I need to order, but I'm postponing that for a few days.

 

[Stormkitty]

Where I live 10 digit dialing has been mandatory for 10 years now, we don't even think twice about it anymore. From the sounds of it we'll be getting a 3rd area code soon too, making it even more hilariously confusing.

 

[bigmck]

Like Stormkitty said, I also have had ten-digit calling in Houston for many years. We have three area codes. When it was first introduced there was a big outcry against it. It didn't take long and people got used to it. == I was born in Atlanta, GA. In the early 1950's, I recall our phone number only having six digits to dial. Also in the 1950's my grandparents who lived way out in the country were on an eight-party line. All of the eight phones would ring different ways. One house might get a two shorts and a long ring. Another might have three longs. All of the eight phones would ring. You knew from the rings whether it was for you or not. As a small kid visiting, I would answer it every time it rang. I couldn't quite understand why all these strangers were talking on "my phone".