10-Digit Dialing Begins February 7 for Southwest Indiana

From the office Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke

On Saturday, February 7th, 10-digit dialing (area code + number) in the 812 area code will become MANDATORY. This is to enable creation of the new 930 area code, which will serve the same geographic area as the 812 area code.

Originally scheduled to begin September 6, 2014, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) postponed implementation of the new area code and mandatory 10-digit dialing in order to allow businesses to adapt to the new requirements. That postponement, however, is coming to an end. Beginning on February 7, everyone in the 812 area code will be required to dial the full 10 digit phone number to call other 812 or new 930 numbers.

Approximately one month after mandatory 10-digit dialing begins, providers will begin issuing phone numbers using the new, 930, area code.

You may include the 812 area code now; however it will be required beginning on February 7.

NOTE – access to 911 and other three digit services will continue to work as before and will not require you to enter the area code.

Remember that any seven digit numbers you have programmed into other devices will need to be updated as well. So don't forget to check things like alarm systems, FAX machines, and phones that have numbers set up for speed dial.

The new area code covers the same geographic area as the current 812 area code and is needed because of the shrinking number of unused telephone numbers in the 812 area code. Without the addition of 930, the supply of available numbers for Southern Indiana and South Central Indiana would run out in 2015.

For more information on the new area code you can visit the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor web site.