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Discussion » Questions » Communication » In the area where you live, when making phone calls, do you have to include the area code when dialing local numbers?

In the area where you live, when making phone calls, do you have to include the area code when dialing local numbers?

Prior to four or five years ago here in Southern California, dialing local telephone numbers only required the seven digits. That changed to a requirement for dialing 1 and then the area code and then the seven digits. 

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Posted - June 6, 2022

Responses


  • 23641
    For me, for local calls, only the 'usual' seven digits are needed.
      June 6, 2022 8:26 AM MDT
    3

  • 44649
    We have had to use the area code, but not the 1, for about twenty years.
      June 6, 2022 9:18 AM MDT
    3

  • 10662
    Yes.  Quite annoying!  

    Well, at least we don't have to use a rotary dial to do it.
      June 6, 2022 10:42 AM MDT
    3

  • 3820

    Really?  I have to look into that!

      June 6, 2022 11:43 AM MDT
    4

  • 10662
    "number, please"

    The "1" would be easy.  My area code, a bit tougher (pwuuut.., feeeeeeeeee, pwuuut.., feeeeee, pwuut.., feeeeeeeeee).  Then all those other numbers....?? And of course there's the forgetting the "1" (redo the whole thing), dialing the wrong number (Doh!) ... we're talking arthritis city.
      June 6, 2022 5:37 PM MDT
    3

  • 3820
    Yes, and we have to dial "1" before the area code, too.
      June 6, 2022 11:43 AM MDT
    3

  • 17614
    Do you have measured service?
      June 6, 2022 3:32 PM MDT
    4

  • 3820
    Not sure what you mean by measured service.
      June 6, 2022 7:00 PM MDT
    4

  • 17614
    You are charged by the minute for local calls as well as long distance calls.  You don't have a flat rate.  That's measured service.  I used to spend time in NYC with husband family.  They had measured service and was charged by the minute for outgoing calls, but no charge for incoming.  When they wanted to talk to someone without measured service they would call them and tell them to call them right back.  This post was edited by Thriftymaid at June 7, 2022 1:34 PM MDT
      June 7, 2022 12:57 AM MDT
    3

  • 3820
    Yes, I have measured service - didn't realize that's what it's called.  I use my landline for incoming calls and my cell for outgoing because I have unlimited talk and long distance which are inclluded.  
      June 7, 2022 6:27 PM MDT
    2

  • 7795
    Oh, yes. It's been that way for more than 20 years. At least around these parts. This post was edited by Zack at June 6, 2022 6:35 PM MDT
      June 6, 2022 12:01 PM MDT
    3

  • 17614
    No.  We were notified in 2020 that that change would take place in June of 2021.  I still just dial seven numbers.  I hope they re-evaluted   but if it's a big goof, that's fine too.  I rather not go to ten-digit dialing (like everyone else). 
      June 6, 2022 3:35 PM MDT
    3

  • 34432
    Yes, area code is required. No, 1 needed for local or long distance. I only use my cell. Landlines maybe different.  
      June 6, 2022 5:29 PM MDT
    4

  • 17614
    Yes, landlines are different from cellular service.  Dialing a 1 for long distance is a landline thing.  :)
      June 7, 2022 7:20 PM MDT
    2

  • 5451
    I dial ten digits for any call in the US, Canada or the Caribbean.  I don’t know what landline users in my area do because I never had a landline at any time in my adult life.  I think when I was a kid, I only had to dial the last seven digits if it was an in-state number, but I had my first mobile phone when I was 13, so that was a long time ago.


    This post was edited by Livvie at June 7, 2022 3:28 PM MDT
      June 7, 2022 1:25 PM MDT
    1

  • 53524

     

      When you call Jane S to brainwash her in your efforts to turn her against me, what number do you dial, please?



    ~

      June 7, 2022 6:37 PM MDT
    1

  • 5451
    Jane?  It’s 5263.  That’s her number.  No, really, that’s her number. 
      June 7, 2022 6:51 PM MDT
    1

  • 53524


    Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

    ~

      June 7, 2022 10:53 PM MDT
    1

  • 5451

    Okay, If that’s insufficient data, dial 7 after you dial 5263.  That should be the number for Jane S.




      June 13, 2022 8:32 AM MDT
    1

  • 53524
    yore sew mene too me

    :(
      June 13, 2022 11:18 AM MDT
    0

  • 3719
    Only from a portable telephone.

    Landline - landline calls only need the area code if the destination is in a different area.

    It's generally a 5-figure STD code for the area, then 6-figure for the called number itself. 
      June 12, 2022 4:24 PM MDT
    1

  • 16826
    Not usually. I only have the eight digit number programmed into my mobile for the doctor, for example.
      June 13, 2022 4:59 PM MDT
    0

  • The area code is never used when calling another number within the same area code.
      June 13, 2022 10:32 PM MDT
    1