Erath County moving to 10-digit dialing system, so update those cell phones now.
The days of pushing seven numbers when making a local call are coming to an end.
Erath County is moving to a 10-digit dialing system beginning Oct. 24.
In Texas, if you are in the 254, 361, 409, 806, 830, 915 and 940 you will have to press the area code and phone number when making a call.
Local calls dialed with only seven-digits will not be completed after Oct. 24 and a recording will inform callers that their call cannot be completed as dialed.
In addition to changing dialing patterns, all services, automatic dialing equipment or other types of equipment that are programmed to complete local calls using only seven-digit numbers will need to be reprogrammed.
Examples include life safety systems or medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, fire, burglar and security systems and gates, speed dialers, mobile and other wireless phone contact lists, call forwarding settings and voicemail services.
Things that will stay the same include:
• Your telephone number and current area code.
• The price of a call, coverage area or other rates and services.
• You will continue to dial 1+ the area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls
• You will continue to dial a prefix (such as “9”) when dialing from a multi-line telephone system in hotels and some office buildings.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 711 (relay services) and 911 (emergency services).
• Any 211, 311, 411, 511, 611 or 811 services available in your community can still be reached by dialing their three-digit codes.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can still be reached by dialing 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) even after the 988 code is in effect.
