10-Digit Dialing is Here

The official start for 10-digit dialing in Delaware was Saturday, April 24.

The change – also affecting residents of 15 other states and territories – is needed to start 988 as a new national suicide hotline number. The National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline remains at 800-273-TALK until it moves to 988 on July 16, 2022.

Seven-digit calls between 302 numbers will work for only the next six months.

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Reprogram your automatic dialing equipment

In addition to changing the way you dial local calls, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to complete calls to seven-digit local numbers will need to be reprogrammed to complete calls to 10-digit (or 1+10-digit) numbers, including the area code.

Some examples are: life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, fire or burglar alarm systems, other security systems or gates, speed dialers, mobile or other wireless phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and other similar functions.

Be sure to check your website, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, contact information, your personal or pet ID tags, and other such items to ensure the area code is included.

The change affects 84 area codes, including 856 in South Jersey, but no area codes in Maryland or Pennsylvania.