By Sentinel Staff
In five days, you will need to dial 10 digits, including the 907 area code, even if your phone call is to another number in Sitka, GCI says.
The move to the 10 digits for local calls was needed to lay the groundwork for a three-digit number to connect to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the phone company said in the announcement of the change.
The change is scheduled to take effect Sunday, October 24, and affects all customers in Alaska.
The 10-digit code requirement was prompted by an FAA decision on July 16, 2020, to adopt the 3-digit code of 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It’s available now through some telephone service providers, and will be available everywhere by the national implementation date July 16, 2022, various carriers said.
GCI, AT&T and Verizon are providing information about the change on their websites.
“We know this will be a big change for Alaskans and we want to ensure that GCI customers have ample time to prepare,” said GCI Chief Communications Officer Heather Handyside.
“We encourage our customers to review and update their contact lists if necessary, and to also consider any devices they use that may make outgoing calls and check that they are configured correctly,” GCI said in a Monday news release.
The Alaska Regulatory Commission announced last fall that the change was coming.
The FCC’s July 2020 approval of the 988 national suicide line required all communications carriers, as well as interconnected Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers and one way VoIP providers, to require 10-digit dialing.
“The FCC ordered that any area code that has the 988 prefix assigned as regular telephone numbers and has 7-digit local dialing be transitioned to 10-digit local dialing to prevent problems with reaching the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline using the 3-digit 988 code,” said the Regulatory Commission of Alaska.
No one needs to change phone numbers, RCA said.
“One of the reasons for changing to 10-digit local dialing is to avoid the need to change people’s telephone numbers,” said a Q&A sheet from RCA.
Alaskans were encouraged to start using the 10 digit numbers starting April 24, but 7-digit dialing will be allowed until the actual change takes place on Sunday.
“On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7 digits may not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed,” RCA says. “If you get this recording, you must hang up and dial again using the area code with the 7-digit telephone number.”
Texting on cell phones already requires the use of a 10-digit number.
GCI said Alaska businesses may have the additional impact of having to reprogram their own system’s features, such as call forwarding. Depending on the type and age of the business phone system, a technician may need to make additional updates, GCI said.
The company added devices affected by 10-digit dialing include mobile phones, home phones, business phones, fax machines, security systems, fire alarm systems, elevator phones, life alert devices, speed dialers, voicemail services, call forwarding settings, and more. Alaskans should also check their own websites, personal or business stationary, advertising materials, pet ID tags and other such items to ensure the area code is included.
The FCC’s decision to establish the 988 number means that mental health resources will be given the same priority given to other emergency services associated with 911, GCI said.
GCI noted that Alaska’s suicide rate is more than twice the national average and is even higher in rural areas.
“Quick and easy access to remote mental health resources are critical, especially in areas with few, if any, mental health professionals,” said Handyside.
GCI Chief Marketing Officer Kate Slyker added, “In a state like Alaska where help may very well be more than a short walk or car ride away, ease of access to these lifesaving resources is crucial implementation of a three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline will give Alaskans in crisis ready access to a provider in Alaska who understands the unique challenges and complex dynamics of life in our hometown.”
RCA said the following will not be changed:
– Your telephone number, including current area code
– The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services
– Long-distance calls, which will continue to require a “1” before the area code
– Dialing “9” before a local number as required by some multi-line telephone systems (hotel, office building, etc.).
– Three-digit numbers such as 911 for emergencies and 711 for relay services
– The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255 (TALK), even after the 988 code is in effect.
