ALL CUSTOMERS WITH A 541 AREA CODE MUST DIAL
AREA CODE + TELEPHONE NUMBER
FOR ALL LOCAL CALLS BEGINNING JANUARY 10, 2010

What is the New Dialing Procedure?
To complete local calls, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial the full 10-digit telephone number. Please see the chart below for further information on dialing procedures beginning January 10, 2010.

When Will the Change be Mandatory?
Beginning January 10, 2010, you must use the new dialing procedure for all local calls. After this date, if you do not use the new dialing procedure, your call will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again using the area code.  All customers should begin using the new dialing procedure before January 10, 2010.

Why is the Change Necessary?
To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the 458 area code has been added to the geographic region served by 541 – this is called an Area Code Overlay.  Because of the addition of the 458 area code, all customers within the 541/458 geography will need to dial the correct area code followed by the 7-digit telephone number when dialing all local calls. Please see the map above for an outline of the 541/458 area code region. Beginning February 10, 2010, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the 458 area code.

What Will You Need to Do?

• You will need to dial 10-digits (area code + 7-digit telephone number) for every local call.
• You may need to reprogram or upgrade your equipment if you use specialized communications equipment like a PBX, electronic telephone sets, auto-dial systems or multi-line key systems to use the new dialing procedure.
• Some automatically dialed calls may require reprogramming to include the new dialing procedure. These calls may include: life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions.

• Check your websites, business stationery, advertising materials, personal checks, contact information, and your ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

What Will Remain the Same?

• Your telephone number, which includes your area code, will remain the same.
• The price of a call, local and long-distance calling areas, and other rates and services will not change as a result of the Area Code Overlay. What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• You should still dial just three digits to reach 911.
• If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811 are currently available in your community, you will still dial them with just three digits.

Questions?
If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call Oregon Telephone Corporation at 932-4411 or 1-800-848-7969 .
Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) - www.puc.state.or.us/PUC/541_area_code.shtml