New 938 area code becomes mandatory in 2010

MONTGOMERY (AP) — The first telephone customers in Alabama to have 10-digit dialing for local numbers will start hitting the extra numbers on a voluntary basis next month and compliance will become mandatory in June.

The Alabama Public Service Commission announced the compliance schedule last week.

The PSC approved Alabama's first area code overlay for the 256 area code in north and east Alabama in March. The change, which requires 10-digit dialing, was needed because the region was rapidly using up the available phone numbers.

The new area code overlaying 256 is 938. The PSC's telecommunications director, Darrell Baker, said permissive dialing of 10 digits for local calls in the 256 area code will begin Nov. 7. Customers who dial seven digits will still have their calls completed, but they will get a recorded message reminding them that the area code will become mandatory June 5.

Customers who try dialing a call with seven digits after June 5 will hear a recorded message that the area code must be used to complete a phone call.

Baker said phone companies can begin assigning new numbers with the 938 area code beginning July 10.

The dates for the transition were worked out between phone companies and the North American Numbering Plan Administration, which oversees area codes. The changes affect both landline phones and cell phones.

All or part of these counties are covered by the 256 area code and the new 938 area code: Blount, Clay, Coosa, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Cleburne, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Elmore, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lee, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Randolph, St. Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa and Winston.

Residents of the state's other area codes — 205, 334 and 251 — will still be able to dial seven digits for local calls.

Baker said the 205 area code is expected to be the next to run short of numbers, followed by 334.