Residential and business customers within the existing (315) area code should be prepared for the introduction of the new 680 area code. Northland Communications announced today that beginning March 11, 2017, customers in the 315 area code region requesting new service, an additional line, or in some cases moving their service, may be assigned a number in the new 680 area code.
To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the new 680 area code will be added to the 315 area code region which covers the west-central portion of New York, serving communities such as Syracuse, Utica, and Watertown. The New York Public Service Commission ordered an Area Code Overlay for the area served by 315. The new 680 area code will be “overlaid” or superimposed over the same geographical area as the 315 Area Code.
Beginning March 12, 2016, customers may place a call within the 315 area code region by dialing the customary 7 digits or by dialing 10 digits (area code + 7 digits). The option to place calls using 7 digits will end February 10, 2017. Beginning February 11, 2017, all calls made within and between area codes 315 and 680 must be placed using the 10-digit telephone number (315 or 680 plus the 7-digit telephone number).
The most important facts that consumers and businesses need to know about the upcoming 680 area code overlay are:
- Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
- You will need to dial area code + telephone number for all calls within and between 315 and 680 area codes (315 or 680 plus the 7-digit telephone number.)
- You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all calls to other area codes (outside of 315 and 680).
- What is now a local call will remain a local call.
- The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
- You can still dial just three digits to reach 911.
- If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 are currently available in your community, you will still dial these codes with just three digits.
Customers should identify their telephone number as a ten digit number (area code + 7-digit telephone number), and include the area code when giving the number to their friends, family, business associates and business customers, etc.
Customers should ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, applications, software, or other types of equipment recognize the new 680 area code as a valid area code. Some examples are life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, mobile phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions. Customers should be sure to check their business stationery, advertising materials, personal checks, and personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included in their telephone number. Remember that all calls made within and between area codes 315 and 680 must be programmed using 10-digits, and a “1” must be added for all calls to other area codes (outside of 315 and 680).
For more information, please visit the following websites: www.northland.net or the New York Public Service Commission’s website at http://www.dps.ny.gov/. Customers with any questions regarding information provided in this release may call Northland Communications at the customer service number on their bill.