Residents and businesses with 619 and 858 area codes must dial 1 + area code + telephone number for all calls as of May 19, 2018. After that date, if callers do not use the new dialing procedures, the call will not be completed and a recording will instruct the caller to hang up and dial again using the new dialing procedure.
To prepare for the area code boundary elimination, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) offers the following reminders and tips to residents and businesses:
- Deadline: Beginning May 19, 2018, direct dialed calls from 619 and 858 phone numbers will not go through unless dialed as 1 + area code + telephone number.
- Phone Numbers and Pricing Unchanged: The new dialing procedure will not change existing 619 and 858 phone numbers or the cost of the call. Calls that are in a consumer’s local calling area remain local calls.
- Dialing 9-1-1 Unaffected: Consumers can still dial three digits to reach 911, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, and 811 where they are available.
- Reprogram Automatic Dialers: Automatic dialing equipment must be reprogrammed to use the new dialing procedure, including: life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and other similar services or equipment.
The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.
