10-digit dialing is coming to 317...will you still be able to make phone calls? | Helpful Bytes






10-digit dialing is coming to 317…will you still be able to make phone calls?

Every smartphone user in central Indiana should look at how phone numbers are stored in your smartphones

You may have problems come September 17, 2016!

This also affects medical alert devices and alarm systems.

Any advertising, stationery, signage and websites will need to be updated!


What you should know…

Do you know how local 317-area numbers are stored or used at home or at work?

  • Do you always include the area code (even for local numbers) – like 317-555-1212?
  • Or did you store local numbers with a simple 555-1212?

Helpful Bytes is here…


What should you do?

Smartphone(s)

  • Review contacts with local phone numbers
  • Update any local phone numbers that are missing area code 317
  • If we can be of assistance, please contact us! (see next section “How can we help?”

Security alarms, Medical Alert Devices

  • Contact your system provider to see if your equipment needs to be reprogrammed

Fax Machines, Landlines

  • Review any speed dial or saved local phone numbers
  • Update any local phone numbers that are missing area code 317

Advertising Materials, Signs, Stationery

  • Review any listed local phone numbers.  If any are missing area code 317:
    • assess the likelihood of issues for new customers trying to call you
    • when feasible, update materials to include area code
      (you might wait to update stationery until you run out of current stock)

Websites, Social Media

  • Review any speed dial or saved local phone numbers
  • Update any local phone numbers that are missing area code 317
  • If we can be of assistance, please contact us! (see next section “How can we help?”

How can we help?

If you have a lot of contacts needing updates

  • Consider using a web-based utility like Scrubly to mass update contact information.
    • Free version for up to 250 contacts
    • One-use paid version for unlimited contacts
    • For more information: http://www.scrubly.com/
  • Helpful Bytes is here to help
    • For $20, we will clean your contacts (removing duplicates, etc.) and update any local numbers to include 317 area code.
  • Get in touch either via the Let’s Talk menu option OR ask your questions on our Facebook page!

If you need assistance updating your Website or Social Media profiles


Background

Mini Year 2000 (Y2K)

Remember back in the 1990’s when the world realized the long-standing standard of storing 2 digit years (04/24/16) in our computer systems and databases wasn’t going to work anymore? In case you hadn’t noticed, all of our “modern” systems now use a 4 digit standard (04/24/2016). A lot of risk, fear, work…and now, it’s just second nature to digitize 4 digit years!

Many of us still have the habit of writing phone numbers down as 7 digits, particularly if they are local. If our clients are mostly in our local area, we may also use 7 digit numbers at work.

In central Indiana (like in many large metropolitan areas), we are once again going to be forced to change our habits. Because of the growth in the number of calling devices, we need to add capacity for new phone numbers.  To do so, we need a new area code!

If you ignore this, you could have problems auto-dialing from your contacts/phone list on your smartphone!  Though not quite on the same scale, this will be a bit more personal…but easier to fix.

Small businesses and non-profits should pay attention –  especially if you do not have full time staff looking after phone, security and other systems that store phone numbers).  Again, not as risky or painful as Y2K – but a little bit of preparation will avoid issues.

Why is this happening?  Who is doing this?

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) reminds residents that beginning Sept 17, 2016, all local calls in the 317 area code will require 10 digit dialing. You’ll need to dial 317 before the phone number in order to complete a local call. The new dialing pattern is necessary so that new telephone numbers can be added when needed.  Starting October 17, 2016, new numbers will be assigned using either the 317 area code or the new 463 area code. OUCC notes that any safety and security equipement, including medical alert devices and alarm systems, must be programmed by September 17th to use 10-digit dialing. If you are not sure whether your equipment needs to be reprogrammed, contact your medical alert or security provider. Also, any advertising materials, signage, stationery or identification tags with 7 digit phone numbers will need to be updated to included the 317 area code. www.in.gov/oucc/2800.html

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