Mandatory 10-digit Dialing Coming for Windstream Customers in Multiple Area Codes

15 Apr Mandatory 10-digit Dialing Coming for Windstream Customers in Multiple Area Codes

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Federal Communications Commission has adopted a new three-digit number to be used nationwide by the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline, a change that will necessitate 10-digit dialing in some area codes served by Windstream.

Starting July 16, 2022, the Lifeline number will be 988. Until then, callers must continue to dial 1-800-273-TALK to reach the Lifeline.

In order for 988 to work in some area codes, 10-digit local dialing (or 1+10-digit in California and parts of Illinois) must first be implemented. To complete all local calls in these areas, callers will need to dial the area code + telephone number.

Beginning April 24, 2021, callers in these areas should dial 10 digits (1+ 10 digits in California and parts of Illinois) for all local calls. Calls made with seven digits will still be completed.

Beginning October 24, 2021, callers in these areas must dial 10 digits (1+ 10 digits in California and parts of Illinois) for all local calls. After this date, local calls dialed with only 7 digits may not be completed, and a recording will instruct callers to hang up and dial again.

Windstream customers in the following area codes are impacted:

Alaska

907

Minnesota

218,952

Alabama

251

Mississippi

662

Arkansas

501

Missouri

314,417,660,816

Arizona

480,520,928

Montana

406

California

209,530,562,626,650,707,925

Nevada

775

 

949,951

New Hampshire

603

Colorado

719,970

New Jersey

856,908

Delaware

302

New Mexico

505,575

Florida

321(Brevard County only), 352,561, 941

New York

516,607,716,845,914

Georgia

478,912

North Carolina

910

Guam

671

Ohio

440,513

Hawaii

808

South Dakota

605

Illinois

309,618,708

Tennessee

731,865

Indiana

219,574

Texas

254,361,409,806,830,915,940

Iowa

319,515

Vermont

802

Kansas

620,785

Virginia

276,804

Kentucky

859

Washington

509

Louisiana

337,504

Wisconsin

262,414,608,920

Michigan

616,810,906,989

 

 

In addition to changing dialing patterns, customers in impacted areas will need to reprogram all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to complete calls to use 10-digit dialing (1+ 10 digits in California and parts of Illinois). Examples include life safety systems or medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates, speed dialers, mobile or other wireless phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services and other similar functions.

Customers should check their websites, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, contact information, personal or pet ID tags, and other such items to ensure the area code is included.

Customers’ telephone numbers, including current area codes, will not change.

The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the dialing change. What is a local call today will remain a local call.

Customers will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all long distance calls. Customers can still dial three digits to reach 711 (relay services) and 911 (emergency services). Any 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, or 811 services that are available in impacted areas may still be reached by dialing three digits.

Windstream customers with questions about this change may call Windstream Residential at 1-800-347-1991 or Windstream Business at 1-800-600-5050 or access the following website for more information: www.windstream.com . They may also visit the FCC website at https://www.fcc.gov/suicide-prevention-hotline.

About Windstream

Windstream Holdings is a privately held communications and software company. Windstream offers managed communications services, including SD-WAN and UCaaS, and high-capacity bandwidth and transport services to businesses across the U.S. The company also provides premium broadband, entertainment and security services through an enhanced fiber network and 5G fixed wireless service to consumers and small and midsize businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. Additional information is available at windstream.com or windstreamenterprise.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Windstream.
Contacts
WindstreamScott Morris, 501-748-5342
[email protected]