FCC 988 / Nationwide 10-digit Dialing Page
Important Notice
Nationwide Ten-digit Dialing & FCC 988
As part of the 988-implementation process, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) has identified 84 area codes that must transition to 10-digit dialing before the deadline for the number to be operational, including Vermont’s 802 area code (i.e., the difference between calling a number locally as “875-XXXX” and “802-875-XXXX”). In addition, the FCC’s July 2020 Order requires all telecommunications carriers, including VTel, to make any network changes necessary to ensure that users can dial 988 to reach the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) by July 16, 2022.
The FCC directed NANPA to develop an implementation schedule that will allow all covered providers to meet the deadline to transition to 10-digit dialing in areas that both use seven-digit dialing and use 988 as the first three numbers in seven-digit phone numbers. Under NANPA’s implementation schedule, permissive 10-digit dialing was implemented by April 24, 2021, with mandatory 10-digit dialing required by October 24, 2021
What does this change mean?
As part of the 988-implementation process, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) has identified 84 area codes that must transition to 10-digit dialing before the deadline for the number to be operational, including Vermont’s 802 area code. After October 24, 2021, the Vermont area code will be required to dial local or long distance Vermont phone numbers, with the exception of 611 or 911, which will still be accessible without an area code or exchange.
Why is this change happening?
The FCC’s July 2020 Order requires all telecommunications carriers, including VTel, to make any network changes necessary to ensure that users can dial “988” to reach the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) by July 16, 2022. Under NANPA’s implementation schedule, as directed by the FCC, permissive 10-digit dialing has already been implemented and mandatory 10-digit dialing will be required by October 24, 2021.
What do you need to do?
Some pieces of equipment you own may need to be reprogrammed to complete calls going forward. 7-digit local numbers will need to be reprogrammed to complete calls to 10-digit numbers or 1+10-digit numbers. Some examples are life safety systems or medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, fire or burglar alarm(s), security systems, gates, speed dialers, mobile or other wireless phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services and other similar functions. You may also want to double-check where you have listed your personal or business phone number, such as your personal checks, or advertising materials and/or pet IDs to ensure your number is correctly reflected.
What will remain the same?
- Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
- The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the dialing change.
- A local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
- You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls.
- You can still dial just three digits to reach 611 (VTel) or 911 (emergency services)