HARRISBURG — On Monday, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) emphasized that mandatory 10-digit dialing for all telephone calls in the current 814 area code begins April 3.
The beginning of mandatory 10-digit dialing on April 3 marks the next major step toward the arrival of a new “overlay” area code — 582 — which will eventually serve side-by-side with the current 814 area code. The 582 area code will be assigned to new telephone numbers once the available supply of numbers in the current 814 area code is exhausted.
Now is the time to confirm that one’s family, business and devices are ready for the switch to 10-digit dialing, so there is a smooth transition on April 3 — especially things like medical alert systems, alarms, and any other systems that automatically make calls.
As of April 3, anyone attempting to make a call in the 814 area code using only seven digits (without the area code) will receive a recorded message prompting them to hang up and redial the call using the full 10-digit number (area code plus seven-digit phone number).
To prepare for 10-digit dialing, consumers and businesses are encouraged to check devices that store telephone numbers — including cell phones and other devices with “speed dial” functions — to be certain that all the stored contacts include the area code. Moving forward, when adding any new numbers to those devices, be sure to include the area code.
Devices that should be checked to verify they are configured for 10-digit dialing, include:
• Mobile phones, landline phones and tablets and fax machines that can save/store phone numbers.
• Life-safety and medical alert systems.
• Alarm/security systems and security gates.
• Call-forwarding settings and voicemail services.
• Internet dial-up systems.
• Automatic dialing equipment and software.
• Speed-dialers.
• Any other device that can save, store and automatically dial phone numbers.
Consumers or businesses with questions about the compatibility or programming of their devices should contact their equipment or service providers.
To help consumers and businesses in the region adjust to the area code change, the PUC approved a timetable to implement the new overlay:
• Oct. 3, 2020 – Beginning of voluntary 10-digit dialing for calls in the 814 area code.
• April 3 – 10-digit dialing will be required for all calls.
• May 1 – The new overlay area code will be placed into service.
The use of an overlay area code preserves existing phone numbers for residents and businesses in the region, while also ensuring that a supply of new numbers will be available after 814 number combinations are no longer available.
The 814 area code was established in 1947 and is one of Pennsylvania’s four original area codes.
It includes cities such as Altoona, Erie, Johnstown and State College, and covers all or parts of 27 counties, including Armstrong (northeastern portion only); Bedford; Blair; Cambria; Cameron; Centre (majority of the county); Clarion (all except portions of west); Clearfield; Clinton (small portions); Crawford (all except southwestern portion); Elk; Erie; Fayette (small portions); Forest; Fulton (western portions); Huntingdon (except Kishacoquillas Valley); Indiana (northern and eastern portions only); Jefferson; McKean; Mercer (extreme northeastern portion); Mifflin (extreme southwestern corner); Potter; Somerset; Tioga (western portions only); Venango (all except southeastern corner); Warren; and Westmoreland (extreme northeastern corner only).
814 is the largest area code in the state, geographically, and the only area that hasn’t already received an additional area code overlay to replenish its dwindling supply of phone numbers.
The 582 area code designation was selected by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), Somos Inc., the neutral third-party which administers telephone resources across the United States.
