12 Apr New Area Code is Coming for Alabama
New Area Code is Coming for Alabama
AT&T announced there would be a new area code in Birmingham for the 205 area code region that will affect many people in the Birmingham Metro area. This change will go into effect on Saturday, April 13th.
To ensure a continuous supply of telephone numbers, the new 659 area code will be added to the area served by 205. This is known as an area code overlay. Callers should get ready to change the way they dial numbers in this area.
An overlay is the addition of another area code, such as 659, to the same geographic region as an existing area code, such as 205. An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code. This only applies to customers who will be receiving a new number once the new area code goes into effect.
Who will be affected?
AT&T stated that the 205area code generally covers the west-central section of the state, communities such as Butler, Birmingham, Clanton, Hamilton, Jasper, Pell City, and Tuscaloosa. The new 659 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 205 area code.
What will the new dialing procedure be?
To complete local calls, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial the area code plus the telephone number. This means that all local calls in the 205area code that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to use this procedure. The same dialing procedure will apply to telephone numbers assigned to the new 659 code.
When will the change begin?
The new dialing procedure goes into effect on April 13, 2019. At that time, callers should begin using the new dialing procedure whenever placing a call within the 205 area code. However, for a time, if callers forget and dial just seven digits, their calls will still be completed.
After Oct. 12, 2019, if callers do not use the new dialing procedure, their calls will not be completed. A recorded message will instruct callers to hang up and dial again using the new area code. Beginning Nov. 12, 2019, new telephone lines or services will any new numbers assigned after 11/12/19 NOT include this new area code?]be assigned numbers using the new 659 area code.
What will remain the same?
- Your existing telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
- The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
- If the 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, or 811 dialing codes are currently available in your community, you will still dial these codes with just three digits.
Have questions about this new area code in Birmingham? Give us a contact us today at 205-443-5900.