The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted 988
as a new three-digit number to be used nationwide to reach the National Suicide
Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline, starting July 16, 2022. Customers
must continue to dial 1-800-273-TALK to reach the Lifeline until July 16, 2022.
In order for 988 to work in the 603 area code, 10-digit
local dialing must first be implemented. Get ready to change the way you
dial your local calls!
What will be the new dialing procedure?
To complete all local calls, you will now need to dial area
code + telephone number. This applies to all calls within the 603 area code
that are currently dialed with seven digits.
Who will be affected?
Anyone with a telephone number within the 603 area code will
need to make this change from 7-digit local dialing to 10-digit local dialing.
When will the change begin?
·
Beginning April 24, 2021, you should
begin dialing 10 digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls. If
you forget and dial just 7 digits, your call will still be completed.
·
Beginning October 24, 2021, you must dial
10 digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls. After this date,
local calls dialed with only 7 digits may not be completed, and a recording
will instruct you to hang up and dial again.
·
Beginning July 16, 2022, dialing “988”
will route your call to National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis
Lifeline.
·
This dialing change also affects customers in a
majority of the U.S.
What will you need to do?
In addition to changing your dialing patterns, all services,
automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to
complete calls to 7-digit local numbers will need to be reprogrammed to complete
calls to 10-digit numbers. Some examples are life safety systems or medical
monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, fire or
burglar alarm and security systems or gates, speed dialers, mobile or other
wireless phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services and
other similar functions. Be sure to check your website, personal and business
stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, contact
information, your personal or pet ID tags, and other such items to ensure the
area code is included.
What will remain the same?
·
Your telephone number, including 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.
·
What is 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 911 for emergency services or
any other 3 digit code, for services currently available.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding information provided in
this notice, please call 603-774-9911. You
can also visit the FCC website at https://www.fcc.gov/suicide-prevention-hotline.