Oregon 503/971 Area Code Overlay |
New 971 Area Code Effective April 27, 2008
Our goal at Qwest is to offer services that meet your communications needs and to provide timely information regarding changes or events that influence your service.
In order to accommodate the growing need for telephone numbers in Oregon, the Oregon PUC has ordered the new 971 area code to be added to the 16 telephone exchanges on the North coast served by the 503 area code today. This change will affect the way you dial your calls by requiring you to dial 10-digits.
The communities affected by this change are Astoria, Bay City, Beaver, Cannon Beach, Cloverdale, Garibaldi, Jewell, Knappa, Manzanita, Nehalem, Pacific City, Rockaway, Seaside, Tillamook, Warrenton and Wheeler, all of which will now join the Portland and Salem areas in being served by both the 971 and 503 area codes.
An area code Overlay is the addition of another area code (971) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (503). An Overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code or their 7-digit telephone number.
Beginning April 27 2008, you must use the new 10-digit dialing procedure for all calls. On this date, if you do not dial all 10-digits, your call will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang
up and dial again. Additionally, new telephone lines or services in the Northern coastal area may be assigned numbers with the 971 area code.
Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions below or reference the telephone numbers below for assistance with questions regarding the addition of the 971 area code or the new 10-digital dialing requirements.
Dialing plan at a glance
| Type of Call | Calling To | Dialing Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Local Call | 503 or 971 Area Code |
10-digits (Area Code+XXX-XXXX) |
| Toll Call or Long Distance | All Area Codes | 1+10-digits (1+Area Code+XXX-XXXX) |
| Operator Calls credit card, collect, third party |
All Area Codes | 0+10-digits (0+Area Code+XXX+XXXX) |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is another area code needed?
- What is an area code overlay?
- Why was the area code overlay chosen instead of the area code split?
- Will I have to change my 7-digit telephone number or area code?
- When will telephone numbers with the new 971 area code be available?
- Will this area code overlay alter how I dial my local calls?
- When will the new dialing procedure begin?
- After April 27, 2008 what happens if 7-digits are dialed for a call?
- Will there be a change in how I dial emergency calls to 9-1-1?
- Will there be a change in how I dial other N-1-1 phone numbers?
- How will dialing the area code + telephone number impact customer directory listings?
- What can individuals do to prepare for the area code overlay and new dialing procedures?
- What can businesses do to prepare for the area code overlay and new dialing procedures?
- Do cellular telephones and other wireless communication devices need to be reprogrammed for dialing area code + telephone number?
- Who is responsible for costs incurred to update customer phone equipments or features, if necessary?
- What will NOT change due to the area code overlay?
- Will calls between a telephone number with a 503 area code and a telephone number with a 971 area code be considered long-distance?
- Will dialing procedures for Operator Assisted Calls change?
- Who gets the telephone numbers with the 971 area code?
- Will all telephone numbers assigned starting April 27, 2008 have the new 971 area code?
- Once telephone numbers with the new 971 area code are available, what happens if someone dials the wrong area code when trying to place a call?
- How will I know whether a telephone number begins with a 503 or 971 area code after April 27, 2008?
- What other communications services/devices might be affected by the area code overlay?
- Who to contact for more information
- Why is another area code needed?
Available telephone numbers in the 503 area code are limited and cannot support the needed demand for telephone numbers.
- What is an area code overlay?
An area code overlay is a form of area code change that adds area code(s) to the same geographic region. In this case, the 971 area code was previously added to the same geographic region of the 503 area code with the exception of the coastal area. Now, the entire 503 geographic region will have the 971 area code and the 503 area code. In many parts of the country, multiple area codes co-exist within the same geographic region. People with telephone numbers with the 503 area code will retain their current telephone number(s) and area code. People who would like to have new or additional telephone numbers or telecommunications services may be given telephone numbers with the new 971 area code.
- Why was the area code overlay chosen instead of the area code split?
Traditionally, area codes have been split to provide more prefixes for the telecommunications industry and its customers, creating smaller geographic areas. As geographic areas become smaller, it becomes more difficult to subdivide an area code any further without separating close knit communities of interest or cities. The Oregon Public Utilities Commission (OPUC) determined that the 503 area code had reached that point, thus choosing the area code overlay instead of the area code split. This overlay is an expansion of the existing 971 overlay which was implemented previously in all of the 503 area except the coastal area.
- Will I have to change my 7-digit telephone number or area code?
No. Area code overlays allow people to retain their current telephone number(s) and area code.
- When will telephone numbers with the new 971 area code be available?
- Will this area code overlay alter how I dial my local calls?
- Yes. You must dial the area code + telephone number for all local calls. Even if you are calling your next door neighbor, you must dial the area code + 7-digit telephone number (example 503+ 123-4567).
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires dialing the area code + telephone number for all calls where an area code overlay exists. The FCC believes this maximizes numbering resource optimization, minimizes anti-competitive effects due to dialing disparities, and avoids customer confusion.
Telephone numbers with the new 971 area code may be available after April 27, 2008.
- When will the new dialing procedure begin?
On April 27, 2008, you must use the new dialing procedure. If you forget and use the old dialing procedure, calls will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and redial.
- After April 27, 2008 what happens if 7-digits are dialed for a local call?
If 7-digits are dialed, a recording will instruct you to hang up and redial using the new dialing procedure.
- Will there be a change in how I dial emergency calls to 9-1-1?
No. You can still just dial only three digits to reach 9-1-1. No additional digits will be required to make emergency calls. You can make emergency calls the same way you do today.
- Will there be a change in how I dial other N-1-1 phone numbers?
No. If numbers such as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611,711 and 811 are currently available in your community you can still dial them with just three digits.
- How will dialing the area code + telephone number impact customer directory listings?
Directory listings for all affected communities will be updated to identify the associated area code of a telephone number.
Individual customers are responsible for any changes to listings appearing in other directories. Each customer is responsible for telephone numbers appearing in any display advertising.
- What can individuals do to prepare for the area code overlay and new dialing procedures?
- Contact security or alarm vendors to update dial-up numbers to avoid a break in security routines and contacts.
- Reprogram equipment that is currently programmed for 7-digit dialing for features, such as automatic dial, speed-dial, call forwarding, computer modems or internet dial-up access, etc. to dial area code + telephone number.
- Update items like stationary, checks, etc. to include your area code + telephone number.
- Start dialing the area code + telephone number for all calls.
- Teach families, friends, etc. to dial the area code + telephone number for all calls.
- Give your area code + telephone number, not just the 7-digit telephone number.
- When asking for someone else’s telephone number, remember to ask for the area code too.
- What can businesses do to prepare for the area code overlay and new dialing procedures?
- Prior to April 27, 2008, businesses with telephone numbers with the 503 area code should do the following:
- Notify alarm service providers of all appropriate area code + telephone number(s) so alarm service records and equipment can be updated as needed.
- Ensure security door and gate systems are reprogrammed to dial area code + telephone number.
- Reprogram any call-forwarding, automatic-dial or speed-dial features to dial area code + telephone number.
- Verify with your telephone equipment vendors to ensure that all special communications equipment, electronic telephone sets, auto-dial or multi-line key systems can dial area code + 7-digit phone number. Some private phone systems like Private Branch Exchanges (PBXs) may require modifications or upgrades to dial or accept + area code + telephone number. If modifications or upgrades occur on or after April 27, 2008, there may be interruptions in equipment service and performance.
- Test telephone equipment to determine if it can dial and receive area code + telephone number. Questions regarding changes in telephone equipment should be directed to telephone equipment vendors.
- Start dialing the area code + telephone number for all calls.
- Update items like stationary, checks, business cards, advertisements, promotional items, brochures, internet web pages, catalogs, etc. to include your area code + telephone number.
- Teach employees, co-workers, customers, etc. to dial the area code + telephone number for all calls.
- Give your area code + telephone number, not just the 7-digit telephone number.
- When asking for someone else’s telephone number, remember to also ask for the area code.
- Do cellular telephones and other wireless communication devices need to be reprogrammed for dialing area code + telephone number?
Prior to April 27, 2008, customers with cellular telephones, hand-held PDAs, etc. need to re-enter telephone numbers to include the area code + 7-digit telephone number.
- Who is responsible for costs incurred to update customer phone equipment or features, if necessary?
Individual consumers are responsible for the costs incurred to update or reprogram their customer telephone equipment or features.
- What will NOT change due to the area code overlay?
- Cost of calls
- Local calling areas
- All existing 503 telephone numbers
- Three digit calling to 911, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811
- Will calls between a telephone number with a 503 area code and a telephone number with a 971 area code be considered long-distance?
Calls that were local before the area code overlay will remain local calls. Calls that were long-distance calls before the area code overlay will remain long-distance calls.
- Will dialing procedures for Operator Assisted Calls change?
All Operator Assisted Calls must be dialed “0” + area code + telephone number.
- Who gets the telephone numbers with the 971 area code?
Anyone in the 503 Service Area may be assigned a telephone number with the new 971 area code starting April 27, 2008 for new lines or service.
- Will all telephone numbers assigned starting April 27, 2008 have the new 971 area code?
No. Telephone numbers with the 503 area code may still be available. Check with your preferred telecommunications service provider for availability.
- Once telephone numbers with the new 971 area code are available, what happens if someone dials the wrong area code when trying to place a call?
Callers will not reach the person or business they are trying to call if they dial the wrong area code. It is possible to reach a wrong number or hear an announcement indicating that the number dialed is not in service. Therefore, it is important to know and dial the correct area code + telephone number of the person or business you are trying to reach.
- How will I know whether a telephone number begins with a 503 or 971 area code after April 27, 2008?
It is important to tell people your area code + telephone number so there is no confusion as to which area code you have. When getting a number from someone, be sure to get the area code + 7-digit telephone number.
- What other communications services/devices might be affected by the area code overlay?
- Alarm services
- Coin-operated telephones
- Private Branch Exchanges (PBXs)
- Communications services/devices programmed with just 7-digits
- Who to Contact for More Information?
- Oregon Public Utilities Commission Website
- Oregon Public Utility Commission telephone number: 1 800-522-2404
- Call Qwest if you have any questions about the area code split at one of the numbers listed below
| Residential | 1 800-244-1111 |
| Wireless | 1 800 244-1111 |
| Small Business | 1 800 603-6000 |
| Large Business | 1 800-777-9594 |
| Government & Education | 1 800-777-9594 |
| Federal Services | 1 800-879-1023 |