"607" users need to dial full numbers

"607" users need to dial full numbers

FINGER LAKES--In the biggest change to happen for making telephone calls in years, starting Oct. 24 Southern Tier and Finger Lakes residents who use a 607 area code will join dozens of other area codes in the nation that will be required to dial the full 10 digit phone number for local calls.
This means instead of just being able to dial a seven-digit phone number for calls within the same area code, residents will now need in most instances to dial "1" and "607" before the seven-digit number is entered.
According to the FCC, the 607 area code is one of five area codes in New York that will be affected and nationwide the change is going to affect 82 area codes in 35 states and one U.S. territory.
The change is one of the first steps towards the FCC adopting the three-digit "988" number in 2020 as an emergency number that will connect a caller directly to the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Hotline. Due to the fact that the 607 area code has residents whose first three digits are 988 that area code was one of the first to officially be affected.
The 988 number will not be available on landlines until July 16, 2022, at which point mandatory 10 digit dialing will be expanded to be required nationwide. The 988 number is currently available on mobile phones.
For a full list of area codes that are set to be affected visit https://tinyurl.com/4ca8a433.
If you or someone you know is feeling depressed, hopeless or having violent thoughts call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for immediate mental health assistance.