Move over 208, 986 is coming

COEUR d’ALENE — By this time next year, Idaho citizens will be required to dial 10 digits when making calls.

They'll also be preparing for the addition of another area code.

At a workshop held Thursday evening at North Idaho College, Idaho Public Utilities Commission and Neustar., Inc. officials explained the supply of (208) phone numbers left to assign is quickly dwindling, necessitating the implementation of a second area code: (986).

"Ninety-five point five percent of available numbers under 208 have been assigned," said Idaho Public Utilities Commission executive assistant Gene Fadness. "We did all we could to delay a second area code through number pooling and number conservation, but now we are at an exhaust where we need to get a second area code."

The 986 area code will only be assigned to new phone numbers and will not require a change in rates. Idaho is one of the last states to have just one area code; 208 was issued in 1947.

However, the addition of another area code will require 10-digit-dialing — area code, plus prefix, plus four digits — because the commission issued a final order to adopt an "all-services overlay" plan assigning the new area code to new numbers across the state. Existing numbers will not change, but dialing area code 208 or 986 will be necessary when making calls.

"We like to keep the customers informed as to what’s going on and alert them that there is a change coming," Idaho Public Utilities Commission telecommunications analyst Carolee Hall said. "You don’t want Grandma to pick up the phone on Nov. 12 to call and wish you a happy Thanksgiving and find out she can’t call you because she didn’t dial 10 digits."

The commission along with Neustar, the administrator of the North American Numbering Plan, is conducting workshops throughout Idaho to help citizens understand the change and ease the transition. Although no members of the public attended the Coeur d'Alene workshop, it is still early in the process and people should have plenty of time to prepare.

"This is just to educate," she said. "We're trying to get this rolled out as seamlessly as possible and let the consumer know this is coming."

On Nov. 5, a nine-month customer education and notification process begins. This will launch a permissive 10-digit dialing period during which customers can begin getting used to dialing 10 numbers and programming their devices, security systems and other programs/systems that utilize a phone number.

On Aug. 5, 2017, mandatory 10-digit dialing begins and the 986 area code will begin being assigned shortly thereafter.

Information: www.puc.idaho.gov/fileroom/cases/summary/GNRT1506.html