Mandatory 10-digit dialing is here for callers in the Ohio 740 area code
COLUMBUS, OH (March 16, 2015) - Beginning March 21, 2015, all local
calls made within the Ohio 740 area code must be placed using the 10 or 11
digit telephone number (area code plus the seven-digit telephone number or
1+area code + seven-digit telephone number).
To ensure a continuing supply of telephone
numbers, the new 220 area code will be added to the 740 area code region which generally covers the southeastern portion of the state of
Ohio serving communities such as Athens, Cambridge, Delaware, Jackson,
Lancaster, Marion, Newark, Marietta, Portsmouth and Zanesville. The Public Utilities Commission of
Ohio (PUCO) ordered an area code overlay for the area served by 740. The new
220 area code will be overlaid, or superimposed, over the same geographical
area as the 740 area code.
Residential and business customers within the
existing 740 area code should be prepared for the introduction of the new 220
area code. Beginning April 22, 2015, customers in the 740 area code region
requesting new service, an additional line, or in some cases, moving their
service may be assigned a number in the new 220 area code.
Effective March 21, 2015, 10 or 11-digit dialing — the appropriate area code plus the
seven-digit telephone number or 1+ area code + seven-digit telephone number —
will be necessary for local and expanded local calls to be completed. Local
calling areas and rates will not be affected by this change.
The most important facts that consumers and
businesses need to know about the upcoming 220 area code overlay are:
- Your telephone number, including current
area code, will not change.
- You will need to dial area code
+ seven-digit telephone number for all local calls.
- You will continue to dial 1 +
area code + seven-digit telephone number for all long distance calls.
- What is a local call now will remain a local
call.
- The price of a call, coverage area or other
rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
- You can still dial just three digits to
reach 911.
- If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 are
currently available in your community, you will still dial these codes
with just three digits.
Customers should identify their telephone number
as a 10 digit number (area code + seven-digit telephone number), and include
the area code when giving the number to their friends, family, business
associates and customers, etc.
Customers should ensure that all services,
automatic dialing equipment, applications, software or other types of equipment
recognize the new 220 area code as a valid area code. Some examples are life
safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security
systems, gates, speed dialers, mobile phone contact lists, call forwarding
settings, voicemail services and similar functions. Be sure to check your
business stationery, advertising materials, personal checks and your personal
or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included in your telephone
number. Remember that all local calls
must be programmed using 10-digits and you need to add “1” for all long
distance calls.
For
more information, and to view the area code overlay map, click http://www.puc.ohio.gov/emplibrary/files/Util/GIS/Telephone_Maps/Ohio_Area_Codes_Size_A.pdf, or visit www.PUCO.ohio.gov.
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The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is the sole agency charged with regulating public utility service. The role of the PUCO is to assure all residential, business and industrial consumers have access to adequate, safe and reliable utility services at fair prices while facilitating an environment that provides competitive choices. Consumers with utility-related questions or concerns can call the PUCO Call Center at (800) 686-PUCO (7826) and speak with a representative.
For additional information, contact: Matt Schilling | (614) 466-7750
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