OSWEGO, NY – Oswego County E-911 director Michael Allen reminds residents that a new 680 area code overlay is being added to the geographic area served by the 315 area code.
Because more than one area code will serve the same geographic area, Central New York residents who have a 315 or 680 phone number will need to enter the area code for all calls – including calls within the same area code.
The new calling procedure will be required for all calls beginning Feb. 11, 2017.
To complete local calls from a phone with a 315 or 680 area code, the new calling procedure requires callers to enter the area code and 7-digit phone number.
“An overlay is the addition of another area code to the same geographic area as an existing area code,” said Allen. “You won’t have to change your existing area code or phone number, but it does require you to dial or enter the area code and the 7-digit number for all calls. In New York, the 680 area code is being added to the area served by the 315 area code.”
The 315 area code covers the north-central portion of New York including the communities of Oswego, Auburn, Syracuse, Rome, Utica and Watertown.
The change affects anyone who has a phone number with a 315 area code, as well as anyone who receives a phone number from the 680 area code in the future.
“This change has already begun,” said Allen. “Since March 12, 2016, if you have a 315 area code, you should be entering the area code for all calls. There is currently a grace period, so if you forget and enter just seven digits during the grace period, your call will still be completed.”
Beginning Feb. 11, 2017, customers who don’t use the new calling procedure will not be able to complete their calls.
They will hear a recording instructing them to hang up and dial again.
Beginning March 11, 2017, new telephone lines or services in Central New York may be assigned numbers with the 680 area code.
Customers who are assigned a 680 area code will be required to enter the area code and 7-digit phone number on all calls or the call won’t be completed.
“The overlay is necessary to ensure a continuing supply of phone numbers,” said Allen. “Because more than one area code will now serve the same geographic region, the area code and phone number must be used when calling any phone number, including calls within the same area code.”
Allen said the 680 area code overlay will not affect customers’ service.
The only change will be entering the area code for all calls.
Current area codes and phone numbers will not change.
The price of a call, plans, and coverage area, and other rates and services will not change because of the overlay.
All local calls will remain local, regardless of the number of digits entered.
To prepare for the 315 / 680 area code overlay, in addition to entering the area code and phone number for all calls, Allen suggests residents complete the following items:
– Update any pre-programmed 7-digit phone numbers in mobile devices to include the area code, as well as any text or email alert services.
– Re-program all services and devices that utilize a 7-digit phone number to include the area code, including automatic dialing equipment.
Other examples include life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, fire or burglar alarm and security systems, security gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, and voice mail services and similar functions.
He advises residents and businesses to check their websites, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, contact information, personal or pet ID tags, and other such items to ensure the area code is included.
The following items will remain the same and won’t change:
– A customer’s phone number, including current area code
– The price of a call, coverage area or other rates and services
– Calls that are considered local now will remain local calls, regardless of the number of digits entered
Allen emphasizes that 911 calls are not affected, only 3 digits will still be required.
In addition to 911, other three-digit numbers that are currently available in a community, such as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811, will still require only three digits.
Those with questions about the 315 / 680 area code overlay, may contact Verizon at (800) 922-0204 or visit the New York Public Service Commission website at http://www.dps.ny.gov/
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Since this article is appearing in Oswego County Today, maybe you should have added an addendum mentioning that the City of Fulton is in the 315 area and part of the change since the “contributor” did not.
J. Finocchiaro – The Contributor clearly wrote that “this change affects anyone who has a phone number with a 315 area code”. You really think it’s necessary for them to specifically mention the City of Fulton? Do you want them to list every municipality in the Oswego County Today viewing region?