[Nfbk] Transition Begins to New Area Code in Western Kentucky: ‘Permissive dialing’ period in area code 270 paves the way for mandatory 10-digit dialing for local calls beginning in 2014

Tue Jul 30 20:13:33 UTC 2013

Passing this along for the folks in Western Kentucky.
Press Release Date:   Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Contact Information:   Andrew Melnykovych
502-782-2564 or 502-564-3940
502-330-5981 (cell)
Andrew.Melnykovych at ky.gov

      Telephone customers in western Kentucky soon can begin preparing
for the changes that will come early next year when area code 364 is
added to the same geographic area as the current area code 270.
       Saturday, Aug. 3, marks the start of a six-month “permissive
dialing” period during which customers will be able to dial either
seven or 10 digits when making local calls in area code 270. Mandatory
10-digit-dialing of local calls begins Feb. 1, 2014.
       “The permissive dialing period is intended to allow customers
to become accustomed to the new dialing patterns,” Kentucky Public
Service Commission (PSC) Chairman David Armstrong said. “They have six
months to get used to dialing the area code on all calls and to
reprogram phones and other equipment that uses automatic dialing.”
       The permissive dialing period allows telecommunication
providers to prepare and test equipment in advance of the
establishment of the new area code.
       An informational video about the permissive dialing period is
available on the PSC YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/KYPSC.
       Area code 364 was created in December 2012 when the PSC decided
that the best way to meet the need for more telephone numbers in area
code 270 was through the creation of an overlay, which superimposes a
new area code over an existing area code.
       The overlay option is the least disruptive for all customers
and imposes the smallest cost on businesses in the area, the PSC said
in its order creating area code 364. This is the first area code in
Kentucky created by an overlay.
       “An overlay allows everyone who now has an area code 270 phone
number to keep that number,” Armstrong said. “The only change is the
10-digit dialing for local calls.”

       During the permissive dialing period, all current dialing
patterns will remain in place. However, customers who wish to switch
to the new dialing patterns may do so. Calls will be connected either
way.
       Beginning Aug. 3, local calls within area code 270 (as well as
local calls to numbers outside area code 270) may be dialed using
either 7 or 10 digits – that is, with or without the area code.
Dialing 1 for local calls will not be necessary under any
circumstance. Local calls will not become long-distance calls.
       “One of the critical tasks during the permissive dialing period
falls on anyone who uses telephones for critical functions involving
health or safety,” Armstrong said.
       Emergency response agencies or others who use reverse 911 or
other outbound dialing systems should use the time for preparation and
testing. Phone-based security systems and medical alert systems also
need to be prepared and tested well in advance of the mandatory date
so that any problems can be detected and addressed.
       In its December order, the PSC noted that public comments
received in the case overwhelmingly favored an overlay. The other
option was to split area code 270 and designate a portion as area code
364, with both landline and wireless customers in the affected portion
required to change their area code as a result.
       The PSC noted that area code overlays have become the preferred
method for creating new area codes nationwide. Overlays pose the
fewest technical issues for implementation by an increasing complex
telecommunication industry, the PSC said.
       The first numbers using area code 364 may be assigned beginning
March 3, 2014. Area code 270 numbers can be assigned after that date,
but their availability will depend on how many remain in the inventory
of each individual service provider.
       Service providers in area code 270 are required by the PSC to
educate their customers about the changes resulting from the new area
code.
       All records in the area code case are available on the PSC
website, psc.ky.gov. The case number is 2012-00129.
       The PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative
purposes to the Energy and Environment Cabinet. It regulates more than
1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities
operating in Kentucky and has approximately 90 employees.

TEN THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT KENTUCKY’S NEW AREA CODE

1. All current area code 270 numbers remain unchanged. Everyone with a
270 area code number can keep it. Nobody is required to change their
area code or phone number.

2. The overlay affects both landline and wireless services.

3. Area code 364 will be overlaid on top of area code 270. That means
that area codes 270 and 364 will occupy the same physical space
beginning March 2014.

4. In order to distinguish between phone numbers with area code 270
and those with area code 364, 10-digit dialing will be required for
all local calls within the overlay.

5. Ten-digit dialing also will be required for local calls into or out
of the overlay in those areas that now allow seven-digit  local
calling across the area code 270 boundary.

6. Ten-digit dialing means dialing the area code before dialing the
number itself – for example: 270-555-1212 or 364-555-1212.

7. Long-distance calls within the overlay will require 11-digit
(1-plus) dialing, just as long distance calls to other area codes do
now.

8. A transition period, known as permissive dialing, will begin on
August 3, 2013 and end on January 31, 2014. During that time, local
calls can be made using either seven-digit or 10-digit dialing.

9. On February 1, 2014, 10-digit dialing for local calls will become
mandatory in the area code 270/364 territory.

10. Numbers with area code 364 may be distributed beginning March 3,
2014. Telecommunication service providers may continue to distribute
270 numbers for as long as they have any remaining in their
inventories.
The link to the press release is http://1.usa.gov/17fjAst

-- 
Joey Couch
phone 606-216-8033.
email ki4vjd at gmail.com
twitter.
 http://www.twitter.com/ki4vjd
facebook.
 http://www.facebook.com/ki4vjd