On July 16, 2020, The FCC adopted an Order (FCC 20-100) approving 988 as the three-digit abbreviated dialing code to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline starting July 16, 2022. This Order requires all telecommunications carriers and VoIP providers to make changes necessary to ensure that users can dial 988 to reach the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by July 16, 2022.
In order for 988 to work in the 319 area code, 10-digit local dialing must first be implemented. You will need to change the way you dial local calls.
What will be the new dialing procedure?To complete all local calls, you will now need to dial the area code + telephone number (all 10 digits) ex. 319-827-XXXX. This applies to all local numbers that are currently dialed with 7 digits ex. 827-XXXX.
Please note that when dialing local 10-digit numbers you will not dial a 1 before the number as you would when dialing long distance.
Who will be affected?
Anyone with a landline telephone number from the 319 area code will need to make this change from 7-digit local dialing (827-XXXX) to 10-digit local dialing (319-827-XXXX).
When will the change begin?
Beginning October 24, 2021, all customers in the (319) area code should voluntarily begin to dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number) for local calls. This will get you in the habit of doing it before it becomes mandatory. Different telephone companies will be implementing this at different times throughout the coming months. For those of you with a Jesup (827) number see below:
Beginning June 1, 2022, all customers with an 827 landline MUST begin to dial 10 digits (area code + telephone number) for local calls. All local 827 numbers will only work by dialing the 10-digit telephone number.
All local calls dialed with only 7 digits will not be completed, and a recording may inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. If you get this recording, you must hang up and dial again using the area code in front of the 7-digit telephone number.
Beginning July 16, 2022, dialing “988” will route your call to National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline.
What will you need to do?
In addition to changing the way you dial local calls, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to complete calls to 7-digit local numbers will need to be reprogrammed to complete calls to 10-digit numbers. Some examples are life safety systems or medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates, speed dialers, mobile or other wireless phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services and other similar functions. Be sure to check your website, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, contact information, your personal or pet ID tags, and other such items to ensure the area code is included.
What will remain the same?
- Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
- The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the dialing change.
- What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
- You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls.
- You can still dial just three digits to reach 711 (relay services) and 911 (emergency services).
- Any 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, or 811 services available in your community can still be reached by dialing their three-digit codes.
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can still be reached by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Who may you contact with questions?
If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call Heartland Technology at 319-827-1151. You can also visit the FCC website at https://www.fcc.gov/suicide-prevention-hotline.