Video: Areas in 35 states, including WI and MN, switching to 10-digit dialing
Oct 25, 2021 05:43AM ● By EditorWatch the KSTP-TV Report here
Photo: KSTP-TV
By Gracie Stockton of KSTP-TV - October 24, 2021
Southwestern Twin Cities suburbs with a 952 area code, 218 numbers in northern Minnesota and all of Wisconsin must switch from 7-digit to 10-digit dialing due to a growing population and to provide easier access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
Across the country, 82 area codes are included in the mandatory switch. Callers with the affected area codes used to be able to omit the first three digits for local calls and use 988 as their local exchange number. Beginning Sunday, 10-digit dialing is required for both landlines and cell phones.
In 2020, "988" was designated by the FCC as the new three-digit phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and will be available countrywide by July 16 of next year. The FCC states that the code is easy to remember and easy to dial, akin to 911 and 311 for emergencies and local government services. As such, the 82 area codes that have allowed seven-digit dialing must switch to typing in all 10 numbers.
The transition won't affect consumers' existing phone numbers, according to the FCC.
Until the switch is complete, people who need to reach mental health counselors and help for suicide prevention should still dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or chat online.
For more information on ten-digit dialing, click here. For the full list of affected area codes, click here.
To watch he original report and see related stories, follow this link to the KSTP-TV website. https://kstp.com/minnesota-news/fcc-switch-to-10-digit-dialing/6278684/
