For the past month, customers within the 715 area code in the state of Wisconsin have been asked to start dialing ten-digits, that is, the area code plus the telephone number when making local calls.  

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) approved the addition of the 534 area code to the geographic region currently served by 715 to ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers in the state. This is called an Area Code Overlay.

An overlay is the addition of another area code - in this case, 534 - to the same geographic region as an existing area code (715). Phone numbers with the new 534 area code may be assigned in some areas as soon as  Aug. 14, 2010. 

An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code or phone number.  However, when two area codes serve the same region, rules of the Federal Communications Commission require callers to change the way they dial local calls. 

The new procedure requires callers to dial the area code and the seven-digit telephone number. This includes all calls that are currently dialed with just seven digits.

Effective Oct. 17, 2009, a “permissive” ten-digit dialing period begins, meaning that callers should begin using the new dialing procedure.  If callers forget to use the area code and dial only the seven-digit number, the calls will still be completed during this permissive phase.

Beginning July 17, 2010, “mandatory” ten-digit local dialing begins and customers in the 715 area code must use the ten-digit dialing procedure for all local calls. As of this date, if they do not use the new dialing procedure, the calls will not be completed and a recording will instruct callers to hang up and dial again.

The price of a call, local and long-distance calling areas and other rates and services of your telecommunication provider will not change as a result of the Area Code Overlay. What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.

In addition to changing their dialing procedure, customers are encouraged to begin reprogramming their automatic dialing equipment and all other types of equipment that are currently programmed with only seven digits.  All such devices will need to be reprogrammed with ten digits (area code plus telephone number) prior to July 17, 2010.  

Customers also are being urged to check with their security or alarm companies and the suppliers of their business phone systems as soon as possible to make sure their systems are programmed to handle the new dialing pattern.

For more information, please visit http://psc.wi.gov/utilityinfo/tele/areaCodes/home-AreaCodeRelief.htm or contact Julie Berndt, Local Manager for Frontier Communications in Rhinelander, at 715-365-2206, Julie.Berndt@frontiercorp.com.