Date: Fri 17-Sep-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

SNET-dialing-changes

Full Text:

SNET Announces Dialing Changes For Some Local Calls

Beginning this week, Newtown residents who are calling New Milford should dial

10 digits instead of seven to complete the call.

The Southern New England Telephone Company announced this week that beginning

September 15 customers who now call across the 860 and 203 area codes by

dialing seven digits should begin dialing ten digits -- the area code and the

number -- to complete the call. The Connecticut Department of Public Utility

Control (DPUC) mandated this dialing change in a recent order to conserve

telephone numbers and reduce the need for adding more area codes.

The DPUC order requires that callers must dial ten digits for these calls

beginning December 1. Until then, there will be a "get acquainted" period

during which calls can be dialed using either seven or ten digits.

Local calls within the same area code still will be dialed with seven digits.

Calls which are considered local calls today, will remain local calls even if

ten digits are required, SNET said. Callers should not dial 1 before the area

code for these local calls.

In Newtown, the following area code and prefixes formerly dialed with seven

digits will require ten digits: (860)-210, 350, 354, 355, 488 and 931.

SNET said callers should be sure to make reprogramming and equipment changes

and, if needed, should contact vendors for assistance with re-programming

equipment such as alarms, telephone systems, fax machines, speed dialing and

modems (including Internet dialing) to accommodate this change.

Beginning December 1, if the call is dialed with seven digits, callers will

receive a recording telling them to re-dial with the area code. Alarm

companies, PBX vendors, answering services and other businesses impacted by

this dialing change were notified beginning in June to give them time to make

changes for their customers, according to SNET.