The 10-digit telephone dialing requirement started on October 24th. If your calls are not going through as planned, make sure you are dialing the area code for every call.
The new requirement affects customers in Michigan’s 616, 810, 906, and 989 area codes. All 10 digits are now needed for local calls. The reason for the change is to make it possible for critical calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to go through to the 988 hotline, which will be rolled out in July of 2022. In the meantime, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline remains 1-800-273-TALK.
Not only does the change affect everyday phone calls and contact lists, but it has important implications for equipment such as life safety systems or medical monitoring devices, and security alarms. Things like call forwarding, voicemail, speed dialers, and other functions could also require updating.
Telephone numbers will remain the same, as will the price of calls, coverage area, and other rates and services. Local calls are still local calls, even with the added three digits.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
