On Wednesday, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission stated in a press release that 10-digit dialing will be mandatory in the 812 area code region beginning Feb. 7, 2015.
The new area code that is being introduced, 930, will be implemented March 7, 2015, the release states.
The reason for this trial month, the Commission explains in its release, is “to help customers prepare for the addition of the 930 area code to southern Indiana.”
As soon as the new area code is officially in use, all callers must dial the appropriate area code, followed by a seven-digit phone number. These regulations will apply even to local calls.
The date on which 10-digit dialing will be mandatory was pushed back initially because it was brought to the IURC’s attention that several important businesses, including those in the medical and law enforcement industry, needed a more appropriate amount of time to adjust to the ?changes .
IURC provides advice in its release for those getting ready to make the switch: “Customers are encouraged to begin practicing 10-digit dialing, check with any alarm service providers or providers of other services that use the telephone network to ensure the customer’s equipment is capable of using 10-digits and to update pertinent (records),” the release states.
Included in those records are medical and business records, personal contacts and pet ID tags.
Further information about the area code transition, including the similar changes that will be coming to the Indianapolis region, is available online at ? in.gov/iurc.
Anicka Slachta
