In 859 Area Code? As of Sunday, local calls will require 10-digit dialing


From the Federal Communications Commission Outreach Staff

If you’re in the 859 Area Code, this means you. One of the links in this story lists the states and Area Codes affected by the NANPA program. On that list, Kentucky shows up with only the 859 Area Code so those in the 859 Area Code will have to begin dialing with 10 digits for local calls.

Beginning this Sunday, October 24, if you still place local calls by only dialing seven-digits, you may need to start entering both the three-digit area code and the seven-digit telephone number to complete the call, even if the area code is the same area code as your own.

There are 82 area codes in 35 states and one U.S. territory that that will be making this transition over the weekend. The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) has a list of the states and area codes that will be affected. You can check this list to find out if your area code is one that will be transitioning:

https://nationalnanpa.com/transition_to_10_digit_dialing_for_988/docs/NPAsRequiredtoTransitionto10DD.pdf

NANPA also has a webpage with additional resources for local governments and community organizations: https://nationalnanpa.com/transition_to_10_digit_dialing_for_988/index.html

When will the change begin?

  • Beginning October 24, 2021, you must dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls.  On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7-digits may not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed.  You must hang up and dial again using the area code and the 7-digit number.

What does this mean for consumers?

  • To complete all local non-mobile calls, consumers will need to dial their area code + telephone number.  This applies to all calls within area codes that are currently dialed with seven digits and have 988 as the first three digits.

Who will be affected by this change?

  • Anyone with a telephone number in certain areas codes will need to change from 7-digit local dialing to 10-digit local dialing.
  • Mobile calls already require 10-digit dialing and will be unaffected.

You can learn more about ten-digit dialing in this FCC consumer guide: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/ten-digit-dialing

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