Beginning on Saturday, June 17th, 8.5 million people across Canada will have to dial 10-digit telephone numbers for all local calls, including those in the 819, 450, and 514 area codes.

Ten-digit dialing is now necessary because of the important demand for new telephone numbers in certain regions. In fact, this demand will continue to increase as telecommunications tools such as wireless and Internet services become more and more popular with both personal and business customers.

It is important to note that 10-digit dialing will not impact the geographical limits of local calling areas. In other words, there will be no long-distance charges applied to a call that previously required seven digits and which, as of June 17th, requires ten. Nothing changes.

Transition period

Beginning June 17th, a network message will intercept all seven-digit local calls with a message to remind callers that they must now dial 10 digits. The calls will then be forwarded. In October, however, it will be absolutely necessary to dial the 10-digit number for all local calls, as the network will no longer forward 7-digit calls.

Reprogramming communications systems and equipment

Télébec would like to remind customers that it is urgent and imperative to add the area code to all of the telephone numbers stored in your different systems and equipment so as not to affect data transmission. It is also recommended that customers who have security or alarm systems contact their suppliers and make sure that their equipment is reprogrammed for 10-digit dialing.

Exceptions

There are certain exceptions that do not require 10-digit dialing:

The numbers for 4-1-1 (Directory Assistance in North America),
6-1-1 (Repair Service), and 9-1-1 (Emergency Service)
remain unchanged.

Very soon, 10-digit dialing will be the norm across North America. For more information, please visit http://www.dial10.ca.

Information:
Josée Plouffe
Director, Communications and Public Affairs
1-888-737-6673 ext. 7023 or (819) 824-7023