In preparation for the new 924 area code, all customers located within the 507 area code region should prepare for 10-digit dialing. Below are all the details you need to know about 10-digit dialing, including effective dates and key details.
January 30, 2024
10-digit dialing within the 507 area code region is available, but not required.
July 30, 2024
10-digit dialing within the 507 area code region is required.
August 30, 2024
New telephone lines may be assigned numbers using the new 924 area code. 10-digit dialing applies.
What will you need to do?
- Before July 30th, you may continue to dial 7 or 10 digits for all local calls.
- Effective July 30th, you will need to dial 10 digits for all local calls. You will also need to identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number, and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, customers, etc. Calls placed using 7 digits will not be completed.
- Alarm and home security equipment must be reprogrammed to include the 3-digit area code by July 30, 2024.
- Ensure that your business stationery, advertising materials, personal checks, and your personal or pet ID tags include the area code in your telephone number.
- Check items such as your website, personal and business stationery, printed checks, advertising materials, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.
- Effective August 30th, 2024, ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 924 area code as a valid area code and continue to store or program telephone numbers as 10-digit numbers.
- Examples include life-safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, security alarm systems and gates, ankle monitors, speed dialers, mobile and cordless phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and other similar equipment and functions.
- Please contact your medical alert or security provider if you are not sure whether your equipment needs to be reprogrammed to accommodate the upcoming change to 10-digit local dialing.
- As of August 30th, if you add a new phone line to your residence or business, you may be assigned a phone number with the new 924 area code, and the same 10 digit dialing requirements will apply.
What will remain the same?
- Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
- The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change.
- What is a local call now will remain a local call.
- You will continue to dial 10 digits for local calls, and 1+10 digits for long distance calls.
- You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 if those are available in your area.
Who should you contact with questions?
For additional information, please visit the Minnesota Utilities Commission website HERE.