New Dialing Procedure for Consumers with 408 Area Code

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Public Utilities Commission announced that residential and business customers served by the 408 area code will need to begin preparing for the introduction of the new 669 area code overlay. The 669 area code is being added, or overlaid, to the 408 region to ensure businesses and consumers have access to telephone numbers from their wireline and wireless carrier of choice.

On April 20, 2012, consumers and businesses with a 408 area code telephone number will need to begin dialing 1+ area code + seven digit telephone number when making all local calls. The new dialing procedure will become mandatory for all residential and business consumers on November 11, 2012. On December 20, 2012, the new 669 area code may be assigned to those who request a new telephone number or an additional telephone line, as well as any available numbers in the 408 area code.

Residents and businesses with telephone numbers within the 408 area code will retain their current telephone number(s) and area code. Consumers requesting new or additional telephone numbers (or telecommunications services) may be assigned telephone numbers with either the new 669 area code or the original 408 area code, depending on available telephone number inventory. Consumers will still be able to dial three digits to reach 911, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811.

To prepare for the area code overlay, residents and businesses in the 408 region should:

    --  Begin dialing 1 + area code + telephone number for all calls.
    --  Notify alarm service providers.
    --  Reprogram equipment or features including automatic dialers,
        speed-dialing, call forwarding, modems for computer or internet dial-up
        access, etc.
    --  Advise family, friends, and business contacts to dial 1 + area code +
        telephone number for all calls.
    --  Ensure that security door and gate systems are reprogrammed to dial 1 +
        area code + telephone number.
    --  Test telephone equipment to determine if it can dial and receive 1 +
        area code + telephone number. Questions regarding changes in telephone
        equipment should be directed to telephone equipment vendors.
    --  Update items such as stationery; checks; business cards; advertisements;
        promotional items; brochures; Internet web pages; and catalogs to
        reflect the 1 + area code + telephone number change.

Over the past ten years, California and other states have successfully implemented approximately 54 area code overlays throughout the United States to meet the growing demand for more telephone numbers.

For more information, consumers and businesses should contact their telephone service provider or visit http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/408areacode.

SOURCE California Public Utilities Commission