What the new area code "overlay" is and what it means for you.
Memorizing phone numbers may be out of fashion with the advent of technology, but one thing is for certain: there are still at least ten digits in every phone number, and starting January 23rd of this year, you’ll have to make sure you (and your phone!) remember that, too!
The California Public Utilities Commission approved a new area code for the southwestern portion of San Bernardino County. Beginning this month, the new 840 and the existing 909 area codes will "overlay"- meaning they will serve the same areas, thus why this procedure is called a "code overlay". This won't change the price of a call, your phone number, or area code, but it will change the way you dial phone numbers.
If you live in the 909 area code (that is, if your phone number starts with 909), you will need to dial those three magic digits to make phone calls. This applies to all phone calls, including phone calls with matching area codes and phone calls made from landlines.
Basically: if you live in the 909 code region, always remember to use at least ten digits when making a phone call. If you live in the 909 area codes and are calling from a landline, you must dial the number 1 before any area code (for example: 1-714-123-4567).
This may mean that you spend a day going through the contacts in your cell phone and make sure you’ve included at least ten numbers in those names you’re used to tapping to call instead of dialing manually. If you’re not sure whether a phone number is a landline or a mobile number, it’s best to include the 1 before the area code, just in case. Your call will go through even if it’s not required.
If you forget the new procedure and dial without the area code (or, in the case of landlines, the number one plus the area code) an automated recording will tell you to ‘hang up and try again’.
Here is a handy list of some numbers you may need to update:
- Phone contacts list
- Auto-dialing services
- Medical monitoring devices
- Alarm/security systems or gates
- Call forwarding settings
- Personal/Business stationery
- Fax machines
- Life-assistance equipment
- Pet monitoring/ID tags
☎ In a hurry? Here’s the short version: if your phone number starts with 909, just start dialing 1+the area code before every number you call, even if you’re calling within the 909 area code yourself. Don’t forget to update your automated systems to dial that way, too.
We've been through phone number changes before and, it may take a little while but, dialing those extra digits will become automatic. Remember when our area code was 714?
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