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New Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing Procedures

Published: Apr 27, 2021Updated: Apr 27, 2021

TEC’s Tennessee customers in the 731 area code will soon have new dialing procedures for making local calls.

What's the new dialing procedure?

To complete local calls, you'll need to dial area code + telephone number. This applies to all calls within your area code that are currently dialed with seven digits.

Who'll be affected?

Anyone with a telephone number from your area code will need to make this change from 7-digit local dialing to 10-digit local dialing.

When will the change become mandatory?

Beginning April 24, 2021, you should start using the new dialing procedure (area code + telephone number) for all local calls. If you forget and dial just seven digits, your call will still go through.

Beginning October 24, 2021, you must use the new dialing procedure  (area code + telephone number) for all local calls. On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7-digits won't go through, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again, including the area code.

Beginning July 16, 2022, dialing 9-8-8 will route your call to National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline. Please see below for more details.

What does this change mean for me?

In addition to changing the way you dial local calls, all services that are programmed to complete calls to 7-digit local numbers will need to be reprogrammed to use the new dialing procedure. Some examples are life safety systems, PBXs, fax machines, home security systems, speed dialers or voicemail services. You may also want to check your business stationery or advertising materials to ensure that they include your area code.

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 due to the dialing change.
  • What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
  • You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all long distance calls.
  • You can still dial just three digits to reach 711 (relay services) and 911 (emergency services).
  • Any 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, or 811 services available in your community can still be reached by dialing their three-digit codes.

Additional Information

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted 988 as the new three-digit number to be used nationwide to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline, starting July 16, 2022. Customers must continue to dial 1-800-273-TALK to reach the Lifeline until July 16, 2022. You’ll still be able to use this number to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline after the direct number is put in place.

If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please contact us at 1-800-832-2515 or visit the FCC website.