San Anselmo: Area Code Modification Coming

Area Code Modification Coming

To accommodate the demand for telephone numbers, the 628 area code is being added to the area served by the 415 area code.  The 415 area code generally covers the County of San Francisco, most of Marin County and a small portion of San Mateo County, serving the communities of Belvedere, Brisbane, Corte Madera, Daly City, Fairfax, Ignacio, Inverness, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Nicasio, Novato, Point Reyes, Ross, San Anselmo, San Francisco, San Rafael, Sausalito, Stinson Beach and Tiburon. This is known as an area code overlay.

What is an area code overlay?

An overlay is the addition of another area code (in this case 628) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (415).  An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code.

What is the new dialing procedure?

To complete calls, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial 1 + area code + 7-digit telephone number.  This means that all calls in the 415 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits need to be dialed using 1 + area code + 7-digit telephone number.

When will the change begin?

• Effective August 16, 2014, customers should begin using the new dialing procedure (1+Area Code+7-digit telephone number) when placing local calls from the 415 Area Code.  If customers forget and use the old dialing procedure of dialing just 7-digits, calls will still complete until February 21, 2015.

• Beginning February 21, 2015, you must use the new dialing procedure for all calls.  After this date, if you do not use the new dialing procedure, your call will not be completed.  A recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.

• Between August 16, 2014 and February 21, 2015, we should practice using the new dialing procedure whenever a call is placed from the 415 area code.  If you forget and use the old dialing procedure of dialing just seven digits, your call will still be completed.

• Beginning March 21, 2015, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the 628 area code.

What do business customers need to think about doing?

• In addition to changing your dialing procedures, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed with a 7-digit number will need to be reprogrammed to use the new dialing procedures.  Some examples are life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, etc.  You may also want to check your business stationery or advertising materials to ensure the area code is include.

• Be sure to complete the programming and dialing changes prior to February 21, 2015.

• For business customers a test number has been established to enable business customers to verify that their equipment can complete calls to the new area code.  The test number, (628) 628-1628, will be available beginning December 21,, 2014 through April 21, 2015.

What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.

• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.

• What is a local call now will remain a local regardless of the number of digits dialed.

• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811.

Questions about the dialing procedure change should be directed to your local service provider, or you can call the California utilities Commission, Consumer Affairs at 1-800-649-7570 or visit the California Utilities Commission website at www.cpuc.ca.gov/areacode415/ for more information.