Yesterday Albertans were reminded that the switch to 10-digit dialing is fast approaching. It was back in 2004 when the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) brought to our attention that we were running out of available phone numbers under the 403 and 780 area codes, and as a result of Alberta’s rapid population growth in the last few years the province is having to implement a third area code (587).
Any new numbers in Alberta will now be given the 587 area code, regardless of where in Alberta you reside.
Starting yesterday, Albertans were receiving a prerecorded reminder when making local calls that said:
The local number you’ve dialed, must be preceded by its area code. Your call will now proceed. For future calls to this number, please dial the area code.
This recording is simply a message to remind us that we should be taking the necessary steps, now, to reprogram our cell phones and phone systems, prior to the mandatory 10-digital dialing taking effect on September 8, 2008. It’s going to take some getting use to, this 10- digit dialing system, so I will be reprogramming my phones now to save any hassles come September.
Alberta isn’t the only province having to switch to 10-digital dialing. British Columbia has also added another area code (778) and will be forced to 10-digital dialing on September 8th.
On a final note, I thought it important to also mention that all three digit dialing (211, 311, 411, 611, 811 and 911) in Alberta and British Columbia will remain the same.
Don’t wait until September to have your phones reprogrammed. Start now and prepare yourself for the switchover.
Photo by *hitetiger