We are now the only state in the union....

[minismom]

who has a mandatory 10-digit dialing system.  That's right!  As of 2/28, everyone in our state MUST dial the area code whether we're calling acrossed the street or acrossed the state. 

For some idiotic reason, the state has decided that we need a new area code.  Instead of dividing the state along a boundary, they have decided that every new phone number assigned will have a the new area code that no one seems to know.  So, when someone moves in next door, their area code will be different from his / her neighbors and, essentially, will be a long distance phone call - from next door()

Long gone are the days we just sat out on our front porches and hollered the day's news up and down the way.

(sigh) Mum

[Miss Philicia]

We do this where I live too, or at least in the two area codes here in Philadelphia.  Not sure what the rest of the state does.  We did it in NYC too, going back years.

[HIV+Me]

I wish I could remember when the 10-digit phone number became mandatory here (Atlanta) except I know that we and Baltimore were the first to mandate it. when Atlanta added 770 to the existing 404.  Later they added 678, I know they've listed a new 4th one, but I don't know anyone who has it.

It sure makes the classic "867-5309" a little quaint, now...

[Ric Wilke]

Same thing here in Milwaukee.  If Thom needs to call someone in the office across the street from his office he has to dial 1-262-XXX-XXXX.  At least it's not long distance.

[minismom]

WOW!  So, we're not as backwards as i thought!  When we lived in Louisiana, they decided to add a new 225 area code to the already existing 504.  The division was along a border of parishes (counties).  The southern parishes kept the 504 and the northern got the new 225.  But, if you lived within your area code, you didn't have to dial the 10 digit number (unless it was long distance). 

I just don't see the point in having some random willy-nilly new area code that still isn't being disclosed.  Especially since there will be NO way of knowing who has the new code and who has the old one.  They are telling us not to put a 1 in front of the number unless we know for certain it is a long distance number. 

I still say it's easier to stand on the porch and yell up the hollow.

Mum

[YaKaMein]

Do you hear me yelling to ya, Mum, from 504 way down the hollow? Hope Mini hears me too [hope she's feeling better!]. LOL

We can still call without dialing 10 digits to most parts. Hope your fingers don't get tired when making a call.

[minismom]

Yaka, we could hear you better if we had a piece of warm strawberry King cake from Gambinos. 

Seriously, in the summer when everyone is outside in the afternoons / evenings and doors and windows are open, you can hear peoples' conversations ringing clear.  We have to be careful fussying at the kids and make sure to close the bedroom windows

Mum