218 area code residents will be required to dial that three-digit code before the seven digits when making local calls.

This change is effective Oct. 24, 2021.

The recording will ask customers to "hang up and redial with 10 digits."

TDS Telecom (TDS) is alerting its customers in northern Minnesota about the upcoming changes.

TDS says residents and businesses should check with security or alarm companies to make sure their systems are programmed to handle the new 10-digit dialing pattern.

All phone numbers and area codes will stay the same.

This change is to prevent people from calling the new 9-8-8 emergency phone line that connects people to the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline.

The new 9-8-8- lifeline is effective July 16, 2022, but people should continue to call 1-800-273-TALK until then.

Products that will need to be changed to 10-digits could include:

• Life safety systems

• VoIP and Private Branch Exchange (PBX) systems

• Electronic telephone sets

• Auto-dial systems

• Multi-line key systems

• Fax machines

• Internet dial-up numbers

• Alarm and security systems

• Gates, speed dialers

• Call forwarding settings

• Voicemail services

If you have any questions regarding this new change, click here.