New Area Code Approved For Birmingham Area

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Beginning April 13, people in the Birmingham area will have to adjust to some changes in the way they make phone calls. AT&T announced Monday that a new area code - 659 - has been approved for the area, and to complete local calls, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial area code plus the telephone number.

A statement by AT&T said, "To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the new 659 area code will be added to the area served by 205. This is known as an area code overlay. An overlay is the addition of another area code, to the same geographic region as an existing area code. An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code. This only applies to customers who will be receiving a new number once the area code goes into effect."

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The 205 area code covers the west central portion of the state serving communities such as Butler, Birmingham, Clanton, Hamilton, Jasper, Pell City and Tuscaloosa. The new 659 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 205 area code.

The changes will occur gradually, according to AT&T. The new dialing procedure goes into effect April 13, and at that time, callers should begin using the new dialing procedure whenever placing a call from the 205 area code. If you forget and dial just seven digits, your call will still complete.

After Oct. 12, 2019, if you do not use the new dialing procedure, your calls will not complete. A recorded message will instruct you to hang up and dial again, including the area code. Beginning Nov. 12, 2019, new telephone lines or service may be assigned numbers using the new 659 area code.

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