Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2001 14:00:49 -0400
To: Help Desk <help@wcnet.org>
From: Terry Moenich <trlemm@wcnet.org>
Subject: Additional info on 10 digit dialing

--============_-1208953591==_ma============
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

Afternoon all,

The following is an editted extract from Ameritech's website about 10 
digit dialing.  I only included the parts that reference our calling 
area, namely, 419.  If you would like to see the full text, go to 
www.ameritech.com/areacode and touch the Ohio area in the map.

Terry

New Overlay Area Codes for the 419 Area Code

The Public Utilities Commission has issued an order to implement new 
overlay area codes in Ohio's 419, 513 & 614 area codes. The new 
overlay area codes will serve the same geographic areas as the 
existing area codes. This allows two different area codes to serve 
the same geographic area at the same time. Unlike an area code split, 
an overlay allows everyone to keep their existing area code and 
telephone numbers. The new overlay area codes may be assigned to 
customers who request new local, cellular and paging, and alarm 
services. The Public Utilities Commission considered several 
alternatives for area code relief before reaching a decision on the 
overlays. The new overlay area codes are designed to managed Ohio's 
expanding economy and demand for telecommunications services, while 
minimizing inconvenience to residents and businesses.

The new "567" overlay area code has been chosen by NeuStar to be 
introduced into the 419 geographic region and will become effective 
starting in 2002.

10-Digit Local Dialing: The way you dial local calls will change

The Federal Communications Commission has required 10-digit dialing 
with area code overlays in order to level the playing field, so that 
new telephone companies can offer their services without suffering a 
competitive disadvantage. Without 10-digit dialing, established 
telephone companies may have an advantage over new telephone 
companies. Customers could find it less attractive to choose a new 
telephone company if doing so would mean always dialing ten digits, 
but choosing an established telephone company would allow them to 
dial only seven digits. In addition, ten-digit dialing permits fuller 
use of all of the numbers within an area code, extending the life of 
the area code.

Starting December 1, 2000 Ameritech customers in the 419 geographic 
area may begin dialing 10 digits (area code + 7-digit telephone 
number) for all local calls. Effective December 1, 2001 callers in 
the 419 area code will be required to use the new 10-digit dialing 
pattern to complete all local calls. Customers placing calls to long 
distance points will continue to dial 11-digits (1 + area code + 
telephone number).

*Note: The elimination of 7-digit dialing will take approximately one 
week to complete. Until the conversion is complete, customers may 
experience different dialing patterns from different locations.

The addition of the new area codes will not affect the price of 
telephone calls placed over Ameritech's network. To distinguish 
between Ameritech local calls and toll calls, find out what numbers 
are in your local calling area.

Statewide Dialing Plans

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio recently approved a plan to 
introduce a statewide dialing plan in Ohio. This plan is designed to 
provide consumers with a clear indication that their dialed calls are 
local or toll.

Effective April 1, 2001 Ameritech Ohio customers only need to dial 
10-digits (area code + 7-digit telephone number) when placing local 
calls to numbers outside of the calling party's area code. Callers 
will no longer be required to dial 11-digits (1+ area code + 7-digit 
telephone number) to reach local numbers outside of their own area 
code.
The 10-digit dialing pattern allows customers to recognize if their 
call will be billed as a local call. Completing a call by dialing 
10-digits gives the caller a clear indication that the call being 
dialed is local. Long distance calls still require 11-digit dialing 
to complete.

Ameritech customers in the 419 area code will experience one 
additional dialing pattern change. Effective July 1, 2001, Ameritech 
customers in the 419 area code will no longer be able to dial 
seven-digits for local calls made to numbers outside of their area 
code. Since most of these 7-digit interNPA dialing patterns were 
removed with the introduction of new area codes, this issue only 
affects limited Ameritech customers in the 419 area code.

Local calling areas and the cost of Ameritech calls WILL NOT change 
as a result of 10-digit dialing. To see a list of prefixes included 
in specific Ameritech local calling areas, visit 
www.ameritech.com/lca. Emergency 9-1-1 calls and information numbers 
also remain the same.

-- 
Terry Moenich, General Manager                Office: (877) 72-wcnet
Wood County Internet Council                  Fax: (419) 353-6082
310 West Gypsy Lane                           E-mail: trlemm@wcnet.org
P.O.Box 207
Bowling Green, Ohio  43402
--============_-1208953591==_ma==========