February 1, 2017

New Area Code System For Eastern NYS


The 518 area code covers all or part of 17 counties in eastern upstate New York, serving communities in the Capital region of Albany and its surrounding suburbs, such as Plattsburgh and Lake Placid. The new 838 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 518 area code.

To complete calls within the 518 area code region, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial area code + telephone number. This means that all calls in the 518 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to be dialed using ten digits, that is, the area code + telephone number. The same dialing procedure will apply to telephone numbers assigned to the new 838 area code.

Effective March 18, 2017, you should begin using the new dialing procedures whenever you place a call from the 518 area code. If you forget and dial just seven digits, your call will still be completed.

Beginning August 19, 2017, you must use the new dialing procedures, as described above for all calls. After this date, if you do not use the new dialing procedures, your calls will not be completed and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.

Beginning September 19, 2017, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers using the new 838 area code. All calls made within and between area codes 518 and 838 must be placed using the 10-digit telephone number (518 or 838 plus the 7-digit telephone number).

In addition to changing your dialing procedures, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial a 7-digit number will need to be reprogrammed to use the new dialing procedure. Some examples are: stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors and or other similar equipment. Be sure to check your website, business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business printed checks, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

• Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
• 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 calls to other area codes (outside of 518 and 838).
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911.
• If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 are currently available in your community you will still dial these codes with just three digits.

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I know many of you don't live in NY State but another area code would be for all to use especially if you have family and friends living in this area. Until next time dear friends and family, be blessed.

6 comments:

  1. Sounds way to confusing, lol...here it is 607, that covers Steuben County and Allegany County. Buffalo is 716 (82 miles away) and Rochester is 585 (70 something miles away). Have a great day friend.

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  2. I'm confused!! Do we have to dial 1 + area code + number for all calls made??

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    Replies
    1. No, 10 numbers are 838-000-0000 that's all there is to it :)

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  3. I remember when we went from 7 digits to 10. It took me forever to get used to it, now it's so natural I don't give it a second thought.

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  4. They are running out of numbers.
    I remember when phone numbers began with letters. NY City had PL (Plaza),Riverside,Murrayhill etc.

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  5. Everything they change things it can be confusing. Here in Montreal, it used to be just one area code...514. Now we have 450 as well. You have a lovely blog. :)

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