New Western Washington Area Code and 10-Digit Local Dialing for 360, 206, 253 and 425 Area Codes

Get ready to change the way you dial local calls!

What is an area code overlay?
An overlay is the addition of a new area code to the same geographic region as an existing area code. This is done because the existing area does not have enough telephone numbers left to meet customer demands.

When will the new area code be introduced?
The new 564 area code will begin to be assigned to new telephone lines or services beginning on August 28, 2017. You will not be assigned the 564 area code unless you order new telephone service.

What will remain the same?
Ӣ Your current telephone number, including area code, will not change.
Ӣ The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change.
Ӣ A local call now will remain a local call, even when dialed with 10 digits.
Ӣ To place a long distance call, continue to dial 11 digits (1 + area code + telephone number)
Ӣ You still dial three digits to reach 911.
Ӣ If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 are available in your community, you still dial three digits.

Who will be affected?
All western Washington area codes are affected. The new 564 area code will initially be introduced as an overlay to the 360 area code region and then expanded to the 206, 253, and 425 area codes as additional telephone numbers become necessary.

What will be the new dialing procedure for Western Washington?
The new dialing procedure requires callers in the western Washington area codes (206, 253, 360, 425, and 564) to dial the area code plus the seven-digit telephone number, for example, 360-XXX-XXXX. Local calls will continue to be local, even though 10-digit dialing will be required.

When will the dialing change begin?
The new dialing procedures will begin July 29, 2017. After that day, you must dial 10-digits as described above for all local calls. After July 29, if you do not use the new dialing procedure, your call will not be completed and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.

What will you need to do?
In addition to changing your dialing procedure, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equip- ment that are programmed to dial a seven-digit number must be reprogrammed to 10-digit dialing. Examples include: stored contact lists in telephones, PBXs, fax machines, internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, etc. Important safety and security equipment, such as medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors or other similar equipment must be programmed to use 10-digit dialing. Many systems operate on 10-digit dialing by default but some older equipment may still use seven digits. Please contact your medical alert or security provider if you don’t know whether your equipment needs to be reprogrammed to accommodate 10-digit dialing. In addition, your website, business stationery, advertising materi- als, printed checks, contact information, and personal or pet ID tags should be checked to ensure the area code is included.

Who may you contact with questions?
If you have questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call Hood Canal Communications at 360-898-2481 or visit, hcc.net. You may also contact the Utilities and Transportation Commission at 1-888-333-9882, [email protected], or visit www.utc.wa.gov/overlay.