10-digit Dialing begins February 1st in Western Kentucky. The move comes as a new area-code overlay begins as numbers in the 270 exchange run out.
The Kentucky Public Service commission is urging caregivers to assist those who may have difficulty with the new calling method. Chad Lampe spoke with PSC Communications Director Andrew Melnykovych about the change.
A six-month “permissive dialing” period began in August, meaning you can dial using ten digits now. To call long distance you will need to dial a 1 before entering the 10-digit number. Here is an informational video about the permissive dialing period.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UZv-JDIPYc
Here is a fact sheet from the PSC about 10-digit dialing.
1. All current area code 270 numbers remain unchanged. Everyone with a 270 area code number can keep it. Nobody is required to change their area code or phone number.
2. The overlay affects both landline and wireless services.
3. Area code 364 will be overlaid on top of area code 270. That means that area codes 270 and 364 will occupy the same physical space beginning March 2014.
4. In order to distinguish between phone numbers with area code 270 and those with area code 364, 10-digit dialing will be required for all local calls within the overlay.
5. Ten-digit dialing also will be required for local calls into or out of the overlay in those areas that now allow seven-digit local calling across the area code 270 boundary.
6. Ten-digit dialing means dialing the area code before dialing the number itself –for example: 270-555-1212 or 364-555-1212.
7. Long-distance calls within the overlay will require 11-digit (1-plus) dialing, just as long distance calls to other area codes do now.
8. A transition period, known as permissive dialing, began Aug.3, 2013, and will end Jan.31, 2014. During that time, local calls can be made using either seven-digit or 10-digit dialing.
9. On Feb. 1, 2014, 10-digit dialing for local calls will become mandatory in the area code 270/364 territory.
10. Numbers with area code 364 may be distributed beginning March 3, 2014. Telecommunication service providers may continue to distribute 270 numbers for as long as they have any remaining in their inventories.