On July 16, 2020, the FCC adopted an Order (FCC 20-100) approving 988 as the 3-digit abbreviated dialing code to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline starting July 16, 2022.
In order for 988 to work, every customer with a number in the 785 area code with 7-digit local dialing must be transitioned to 10-digit. The FCC ordered that any area code that has the 988 prefix assigned as telephone numbers and has 7-digit local dialing be transitioned to 10-digit (area code + telephone number) local dialing to ensure everyone is able to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline using the 3-digit 988 code.
In Doniphan County, this primarily affects those with a “785-988-0000” example phone number like those living in the Bendena area. Soon you will no longer be able to call a Bendena area phone number by just typing “988-0000” for example, but will have to add the area code of 785 when calling. Beginning April 24, 2021, citizens should start dialing 10-digits (area code + 7-digit telephone number) for all local calls. This is known as a permissive dialing period because if you forget and dial just 7-digits, your call will still be completed.
However, beginning October 24, 2021, all citizens calling a phone number in the Bendena area must dial 10-digits (area code + 7-digit telephone number) for all local calls. On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7-digits (“988-0000” for example) may not be completed, and a recording may inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. If you get this recording, you must hang up and dial again using the area code with the seven-digit telephone number (“785-988-0000” for example).
In addition to changing your dialing routine, you’ll also need to reprogram 7-digit local numbers to 10-digit numbers in any device that automatically makes calls for you to a Bendena area “785-988-0000” example phone number. These include the speed dial feature on an office, mobile or home phone, home security equipment, and a personal emergency response system. Anyone with a “785-988-0000” example phone number will not have the last four digits of their phone number changed.
Find out more by reading Rainbow Communication’s blog post here or contact your phone service provider for further clarification.
Read and print this PDF document to share with others in your community.