10-Digit Dialing to Begin Next Year
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIn less than a year, all local calls in the 317 area code will have to be placed using the 10-digit phone number. The switch will happen September 17, 2016. State officials say the new 463 area code will be added to the region because 317 is set to run out of numbers.
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission ordered an area code overlay for the 317 region in April 2015. The overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code. Starting October 17, 2016, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers using the new 463 area code.
Officials say there will be a six-month grace period starting March 19, 2016 to give consumers time to adjust to the changes. State officials say calls that are currently local will continue to be local, even though 10-digit dialing will be required. For long distance calls, consumers will dial 1, plus the area code, plus the phone number.
Meantime, customers are encouraged to check and include the area code on items like personal or pet ID tags, business stationary, personal checks, life-safety systems, alarm and security systems, gates and mobile phone contact lists.