LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Federal communications officials reported that the process is now underway to convert to 10-digit dialing in parts of the country — including California and Lake County — in order to facilitate calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The process to convert to the new system began at the end of October, with a deadline of July 15, 2022.
The Federal Communications Commission said a 10-digit dialed telephone call requires entering both the three-digit area code and the seven-digit telephone number to complete the call, even if the area code is the same area code as your own.
When an area code transitions to 10-digit dialing, you will no longer be able to dial seven digits to make a local call.
Transitioning to 10-digit dialing will not affect your current telephone number. Your phone number, including your area code, will not change, the FCC said.
In California and in Illinois area code 708, you may be required to dial the number "1" before the area code and seven-digit phone number for local calls.
California has the most area codes affected, including the 707 area code which covers Lake County, along with 209, 530, 562, 626, 650, 925, 949 and 951. All of them require 1 +10 digit dialing for landline customers.
In 2020, the FCC established “988” as the new, nationwide three-digit phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The new three-digit dialing code will be available nationwide by July 16, 2022, and will provide an easy to remember and easy to dial three-digit number to reach suicide prevention and mental health counselors, similar to "911" for emergencies and "311" for local government services.
To help facilitate the creation of "988," area codes that use "988" as a local exchange, or the first three digits of a seven-digit phone number, will need to use 10-digit dialing.
The FCC said there are 82 area codes in 35 states and one U.S. territory that currently use "988" as their local exchange and allow seven-digit dialing. A local exchange, also known as a central office code, is the first three numbers of a seven-digit telephone number.
To prepare for implementation of a quick way to dial the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — using only "988" to connect callers to the Lifeline — these area codes must transition to 10-digit dialing for all calls, including local calls.
During the transition to “988,” Americans who need help should continue to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK) and through online chats.
Veterans and Service members may reach the Veterans Crisis Line by pressing "1" after dialing, chatting online at www.veteranscrisisline.net or texting 838255.