BLOG
Local Calls Need 10-Digit Dialing due to New 948 Area Code Overlay
All customers with the 757 Virginia area code are now required to use 10-digit dialing with the introduction of the new 948 area code. The 948 code was added as an overlay to the 757 region. An overlay is the addition of another area code to the same geographic region served by an existing area code. An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code, but it does require customers to dial the area code to complete local calls.
The actual dialing period began September 11, 2021, to give consumers adequate time to adjust to the dialing changes. During that period, local calls could be made with either 7 or 10 digits, and all calls that are local will continue to be local even though you dial 10 digits.
As of April 9, 2022, local calls made within the VA 757 area code must be placed using 10 digits (area code + the 7-digit telephone number). After this date, calls placed using just 7 digits will not be completed. Beginning May 9, 2022, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers using the new 948 area code.
The key facts for consumers to know about the upcoming VA 757/948 area code overlay are:
1. Your current telephone number, including current area code, will not change. If you seek new phone service on and after May 9, 2022, you may be assigned a phone number with the 948-area code.
2. You will need to dial the area code + telephone number for all local calls, including calls within the same area code.
3. You will continue to dial 1 + area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls. What is a local call now will remain as such.
4. 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, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, and 811 if those are currently available in your community.
5. Please remember to identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates and customers, etc.
Important safety and security equipment, such as medical alert devices, and alarm and security systems must be programmed to use 10-digit dialing. Many systems operate on 10-digit dialing by default, but some older equipment may still use 7 digits. Please contact your medical alert or security provider if you are not sure whether your equipment needs to be reprogrammed to accommodate the upcoming change to 10-digit local dialing. Any needed reprogramming of alarm and home security equipment should be done by April 9, 2022.
For additional information, please visit the Virginia State Corporation Commission website at https://scc.virginia.gov/pages/757-Area-Code-Exhaust-Relief-FAQ