The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has issued a reminder to consumers that effective June 2, 2018, residents and businesses with the 805 area code must dial 1 area code telephone number for all calls.
After that date, if callers do not use the new dialing procedure, the call will not be completed and a recording will instruct the caller to hang up and dial again using the new dialing procedure.
This dialing change paves the way for an area code overlay that will add the new 820 area code to the geographic area currently served by the 805 area code. The overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code and telephone number, but does require customers to dial “1” plus the three-digit area code plus the seven-digit telephone number for all calls to and from telephone numbers with the 805 and 820 area codes, including local calls.
The new dialing procedure will not change existing 805 phone numbers or the cost of the call. Calls that are in a consumer’s local calling area remain local calls.
Please remember to reprogram automatic dialing equipment to use the new dialing procedure, including life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and other similar services or equipment.
Dialing 9-1-1 will be unaffected. Consumers can still dial three digits to reach 911. Other three-digit codes, such as 2-1-1 or 4-1-1, can also be dialed with just three digits where they are available.
As of June 30, 2018, consumers requesting new or additional telephone numbers may be assigned telephone numbers with either the new 820 area code or the original 805 area code, depending on available telephone number inventory.
For more information, consumers and businesses should contact their telephone service provider or visit the CPUC website.