Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!decwrl!sun-barr!texsun!texbell!vector!telecom-gateway From: scott@dtscp1.UUCP (Scott Barman) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Southern Bell dialing changes in 404 area code Message-ID: Date: 25 May 89 16:54:43 GMT Sender: news@vector.Dallas.TX.US Organization: Digital Transmission Systems (a subsidiary of DCA), Duluth, GA Lines: 22 Approved: telecom-request@vector.dallas.tx.us X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@vector.dallas.tx.us X-TELECOM-Digest: volume 9, issue 176, message 4 of 8 Southern Bell announced on Tuesday (5/23) that beginning October 2, all long distance calls within the 404 area codes will require the caller to dial the 404 after the 1 (i.e. 1-404-xxx-xxxx). Southern Bell reports that they are running out of central office exchages in the 404 area becuase of an increase of 600,000 access lines (mostly in the Metro Atlanta area). It was reported that SB is doing this because it is a cheap, short term solution and its a prelude to adding a new area code to the area (Metro Atlanta will get its own area code). Programming is in effect now that will allow people to reprogram their auto-dialers and speed calling numbers now. Starting 10/2 calls will not go through and the caller will get one of those wonderful (and usually ear-splitting loud) recordings. They are trying to put off the inevitable. I understand that since I was living in New York when they made Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island area code 718. Initially, it really can be confusing and frustrating and I guess New York Tel. dropped a bundle in advertising. -- scott barman {gatech, emory}!dtscp1!scott