Deadline approaches for mandated switch to 10-digit dialing

Sunday, April 3, 2021 residents of the 814area code will be required to use 10-digit dialing for all telephone calls.

The switch is one phase of the preparation for the new “overlay” area code, 582. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) voted unanimously in April of 2020 to begin a yearlong plan to implement the 582 code. An overlay code preserves existing phone numbers while providing new numbers as populations increase.

The new overlay 582 code will be placed into service on May 1, 2021 but new area code numbers will not be assigned until all available 814 numbers have been exhausted. With over 7.9 million numbers in use, the 814 area code is reaching its limit.

The 814-area code includes all or parts of 27 northwestern and central Pennsylvania counties. Geographically, it is the largest area code in the state. Established in 1947, it is one of Pennsylvania’s four original area codes and the only area that has not already received an additional overlay code.

The option to use 10-digit dialing has

been in place since October and the PUC encourages residents to begin dialing 10-digits now to practice and make sure their devices are ready for the switch.

Beginning April 3, any calls made in the 814-area code made by dialing only seven digits will receive a recorded message instructing the caller to hang up and redial using 10-digits.

In preparation for the switch, all devices that automatically make calls should be double-checked to make sure they are set up for 10-digit dialing. These devices include:

„Mobile and landline phones and fax machines that can store phone numbers

„Medical alert systems „Security systems „Voicemail services „Internet dial-up systems.