Starting October 24, most states will require that you dial the full area code and phone number for every call you place, including for calls that are considered “local”. In the past, you may have been able to dial just the 7-digit local number to place a call. Now you will need to dial the area code and the phone number for every call you place. This change impacts all telephone callers, not just CapTel users.
Why the change?
The FCC is introducing a new National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline that lets people reach help by dialing 988. Unfortunately, some local phone numbers already start with “988”. Requiring all callers to dial the area code first eliminates the possibility of someone dialing the new emergency phone number by accident. More information available at: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/ten-digit-dialing
What happens if the area code is not dialed?
Your call will not go through. You will reach a recording asking you to hang up and dial the phone number again, using the area code.
Do I need to dial a “1” first?
For long distance calls, yes. For local calls, you will not need to dial the 1 first, but you will need to dial the area code plus phone number. (Exception: California and Illinois area code 708 may be required to dial the number “1” for local calls.)
What does this mean for CapTel users?
- Dialing a Phone Number Directly – For any calls that you dial directly on the CapTel number keypad, remember to dial the 3 digit area code first, then the 7 digit phone number.
- Using Contact List / Phone Book – If you have phone numbers entered into your Contacts List or Phone Book: check to make sure these entries include the area code plus the phone number, in order for these calls to go through properly.
- Speed Dial – Phone numbers entered in Speed Dial will need to include the area code plus the 7 digit phone number in order for Speed Dial calls to work.
To edit phone numbers in your Contact List or Phone Book:
To edit phone numbers in your Speed Dial:
TIP: when editing your phone numbers, it is helpful to write down the local number first before erasing it to re-enter the area code. Otherwise you may forget what the number is when you have to type it in again.