(COLUMBUS) – Beginning Saturday, mandatory 10-digit dialing comes to the 614 area code.
The change is coming to help prepare for the arrival of the new 380 area code to Columbus. The new area code is an overlay, meaning that existing phone numbers will not change.
According to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Effective Jan. 30, 10- or 11-digit dialing (area code plus the seven-digit telephone number or 1 + area code + telephone number) will be necessary for local and expanded local calls to be completed. Local calling areas and rates will not be affected by the change.
Beginning February 27, anyone requesting a new phone number in the existing 614 area could be assigned a 380 number.
The new area code was introduced because the 614 area code is running out of numbers. Officials say a growing number of mobile phones and other connected devices made the change necessary.
According to the PUCO, here’s what you need to know:
- Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
- You will need to dial area code + telephone number for all local calls.
- You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all long distance calls.
- What is a local call now will remain a local call.
- 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.
- If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 are currently available in your community, you will still dial these codes with just three digits.
The 740 area code went through a similar transition in March of 2015, with the addition of the 220 area code overlay.