{"id":116687,"date":"2021-06-08T13:19:07","date_gmt":"2021-06-08T17:19:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/?p=116687"},"modified":"2021-06-20T17:13:08","modified_gmt":"2021-06-20T21:13:08","slug":"the-end-of-the-seven-digit-local-call","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/the-end-of-the-seven-digit-local-call\/","title":{"rendered":"The End of the Seven-Digit Local Call"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

\"Seven-DigitThe seven-digit local call is doomed. Soon it will no longer be possible to call the next-door neighbor or corner store without an area code. U.S. voice providers – wireline – wireless and cable \u2014 have started notifying their customers of the change. Phone users need to start dialing 10-digits whenever they make a call – local or long distance. The FCC is forcing the 10 digit – 3 digit area code plus the 7 digit local number.<\/p>\r\n

\"FCC<\/a>The FCC<\/a> is mandating<\/a> (FCC Order 20-100<\/a>) this change to make it possible for callers to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline<\/a> by just dialing \u201c988.\u201d The federally financed National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week.<\/p>\r\n

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline<\/h3>\r\n

The new law will allow states to collect fees from mobile service providers and use the funds<\/a> to support 988, though it’s unclear how much more funding the fees will generate. 988 will allow a shift from a law enforcement and justice system response to one of immediately connecting to care for individuals in suicidal, mental health, and substance use crises. The number is the first step to make a fundamental shift in how communities engage people in crisis. When you\u2019ve got a police, fire, or rescue emergency, you call 911. When you have an urgent mental health need, you\u2019ll call 988.<\/p>\r\n

\"National<\/a>Fierce Telecom<\/em><\/a> explains<\/a> that in July 2020 the FCC established the<\/a> 988 hotline. The 988 hotline will make it faster for people to connect to crisis counselors and get help without having to remember a longer toll-free number. And now the agency is considering expanding this to require text messaging providers to support text messaging to 988. In its Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking<\/a> issued in April 2021.<\/p>\r\n

In its order, the FCC noted that text messaging is particularly popular with teenagers and young adults and also those that are deaf or have speech disabilities.<\/p>\r\n

Given the pervasiveness of text messaging, particularly among at-risk groups, we believe it is essential to explore making it as easy as possible to reach the Lifeline by text through the use of the same short, easy-to-remember code by which Americans will be able to call the Lifeline.<\/em><\/p>\r\n

Why we need 10-digit dialing<\/h3>\r\n

The reason 10-digit dialing is necessary to make the 988 hotline work is because the North American Numbering Plan Administrator<\/a> has to make sure that calls to 988 get directed to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. If someone has a seven-digit number that starts with 988, the phone switch will not know whether this call needs to go to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline or to the seven-digit number. By requiring 10-digit dialing, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator is able to prevent any confusion to the system.<\/p>\r\n

When will the local call change begin?<\/h3>\r\n

\"When<\/a>Beginning April 24, you should begin dialing 10 digits (area code plus telephone number) for all local calls. Your call will still get completed if you forget and dial just seven digits.<\/p>\r\n

Beginning Oct. 24, you must dial 10 digits (area code plus telephone number) for all local calls. Calls made with only seven digits may not be completed after Oct, 24. A recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. You must hang up and dial again using the area code and the seven-digit number.<\/p>\r\n

Beginning July 16, 2022, dialing \u201c988\u201d will route your call to the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline.<\/p>\r\n

rb-<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Michigan<\/a> residents impacted by this change are in the 616, 810, 906, 989 area codes. If you live in one of the impacted areas, be sure to include the area code, or they may stop working, including:<\/em><\/p>\r\n