Switchfast Blog: The Future of IT
Reminder: New Chicago Area Code to be Active on November 7
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 by Michael Holley
On August 10, the Illinois Commerce Commission announced a new
area code (872) for the City of Chicago. The new area code will
take effect this Saturday, November 7.
The 872 code will be an "overlay" code, which means it will
supplement the existing area codes, and existing number will not
change. However, all call must be dialed using 1 and the area code
when these changes take effect. Here's an excerpt from the official
press release:
"How an Overlay Area Code Works - With an overlay, an additional area code is added to
the same geographic area as the existing area code, with all
current phone customers retaining the original area code. New
telephone customers for local phone service, cellular and paging
services, and alarms, for example, assigned in the same area may
receive telephone numbers in the new overlay area code.
The FCC requires that all telephone calls made in
the overlay area be completed by dialing the full, 10-digit number
(area code + seven digit number). This includes calls currently
dialed with seven digits in the existing area code. This
requirement does not affect the cost of the call. A local call will
remain a local call, and a toll call will remain a toll call,
regardless of the number of digits that are dialed to complete
it.
Area code overlays are in place in 21 states,
including three in Illinois. (630/331, 847/224, 815/779)
Prior to the assignment of numbers in the new 872
area code, customers in the 312 and 773 area codes will have
90-days to adjust to dialing the additional digits to complete
their calls, prior to it becoming mandatory. Beginning on November
7, 2009, all calls must be dialed 1 + Area Code + Telephone
Number."
Best,
Switchfast Technologies
Chicago IT Consulting
& Support
Rochester
IT Consulting & Support
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