A new local area code has been added, and dialing procedures for new and existing area codes are changing. Read on for more information.
In January 2017, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced the acquisition and plan to introduce a new area code in the existing 805 region. The reason given is that the available numbers in the 805 inventory will be depleted by the end of 2017 (details). The new area code, identified as 820, will be in service in June of 2018. The new 820 area code will not replace the existing 805 area code. The 820 area code will overlay onto the existing 805 region providing two area codes going forward.
The addition of a second area code to the region will require that all users (residential and business) have to dial 1+area code when making a local or long distance call. Intra agency (County phone to County phone) dialing may or may not be affected, depending on the needs of the organization. Cell phones already require 1+ the area code.
For those with the 805 area code, the CPUC will begin elective 1+805+number dialing in November with a transition period until May 2018. Beginning June 2018, the dialing sequence will be mandatory and your call will not be completed without dialing the entire 10 digit sequence (1+805 or 820+number).
The steps you should take by November 1st are:
- Revise your email signature to include the full number with the 805 area code
- All telephone numbers on all documents should include the 805 area code
- All Web sites (public and internal) should include the 805 area code
- Reprogram the speed dial buttons on your telephone (see below) and all fax machines to include the 805 area code
- Update all telephone lists to include the area code
For those that have servers that dial out, please contact Telephone Services for more information and assistance. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Carl Thornton at x5581 or Stacy Liberts at x5587.
To program Speed Dial buttons:
- Do NOT lift the handset or turn Speak on
- Press Feature
- Press the button you want to program
- Dial in the number 9+1+Area Code+Number
- Press Feature again