David Barts <davidb@pacer.uucp> (06/10/91)
I just noticed the following on page A21 of the Seattle White Pages, and thought I'd pass it on to the Digest. My apologies if this has been posted already (our mail feed has been spotty recently). [begin quote] DIALING CHANGES BEGIN JANUARY 12, 1992. Washington's traditional 1 + seven digit dialing within the 206 area code will be phased out beginning in late 1991. Between October 6, 1991, and January 12, 1992, customers will need to begin dialing 1 + 206 + seven digits for all long distance calls within the 206 area code. This change is necessary because of telephone growth in Washington. The new dialing pattern will allow these [sic] numbers currently reserved for area codes to be used for local prefixes, thus making available more combinations for use when assigning telephone numbers. It will also allow customers to continue to know on which calls a charge applies. [Unmeasured service is the norm here - DWB.] After January 12, 1992, you will get a recording telling you how to dial if you have not dialed 1 + 206 + seven digits on long distance calls within the 206 area code. Simply follow the instructions in order to get your call connected. Local calls are not affected by this change. [end quote] I find it interesting that the feature of allowing customers to know if a call is long-distance was one of the reasons for going to 1+206 dialing. I am going to mark these dates down on my calendar and try to be awake the evenings when this takes place (I want to be the last person in NPA 206 to make a 1+7D call and the first to make a 1+206+7D call). Naturally, I'll report the results to the Digest. David Barts N5JRN Pacer Corporation, Bothell, WA davidb@pacer.uucp ...!uunet!pilchuck!pacer!davidb