New area codes, new way to dial

  • Published
  • By Maj. David Anzaldua
  • 75th Communications Squadron Commander
It's no secret, the population surrounding Hill Air Force Base is growing at a rapid pace. In fact, it's growing so fast that the local telephone service providers are introducing a new area code to increase the availability of new numbers to provide their customers when starting new service contracts. This new area code, 385, will affect the way you conduct not only your personal business but it will also affect the way you call anyone on or off-base. 

The current 801 area code has reached a breaking point and must be supplemented with additional numbers. Some major cities with the same problem have taken their region and "split' into two separate regions with different area codes. This can be costly to businesses because it requires phone number changes, the replacement of signs, business cards, and other associated advertising media in the region where the area code had existed for years. Another option, called an overlay, leaves the existing 801 area code and adds the new area code to the same region. In this way, only newly created numbers will have the new 385 area code and no 801 numbers will need to change. The downside to this option is the need to dial additional digits to reach someone new who may live down the street. 

The Utah Public Service Commission selected the overlay option and it will take effect on March 29. All calls within Davis, Morgan, Salt Lake, Weber, and Utah counties will be affected. After this date, calls will only be connected after dialing all 10 digits (XXX-XXX-XXXX) of any number. Hill AFB will also be making changes to multiple systems to meet this requirement and base users will change the way business is conducted by telephone. 

There is pending State legislation that may change the overlay option, but in the meantime the base and all on-base public utilities are pressing ahead. Technicians will begin making changes to the switch January 19 and the final cutover will occur January 25. Beginning January 25, base personnel will be required to dial additional digits for their calls to be connected for both on-base and local calls. January 25, customers can expect the following changes: 

- For local calls from base to the surrounding area; users must dial 99 + all 10 digits (99 + area code + XXX-XXXX). 

- For calls from one base number to another base number; users must dial 7 digits (777-XXXX. 775-XXXX or 586-XXXX). This is to meet requirements as spelled out in AFI 33-111. 

- Cell phone users must update their address books to ensure all stored numbers include the full 10-digit number with area code. 

- Customers with multi-line phones, facsimile machines or any device that have user-enabled automatic dial features must verify the programming of these features to ensure the full 7 or 10 digit number is programmed. 

- During the cutover, intermittent problems during the transition period (from January 19 to 25 ), may force some users to dial all 7 digits if the call doesn't go through with 5 digit dialing. 

- Customers can contact the Telephone Help Desk at ext. 119 for any issues that cannot be mitigated.