Starting next year, if you sign up for a new phone service in West Virginia you may be given the new 681 area code. So to prepare everyone for the 10 digit switch, officials are urging you to start dialing the area code with all local West Virginia calls beginning next Saturday, July 26.
Five-year-old Bralynn Davis knows how to dial West Virginia phone numbers that are seven digits long.
Now starting Saturday July 26, she's going to have to learn how to dial 304 before all West Virginia calls, even local ones.
You're call will still go through if you forget to dial it until February 28 next year. This is when you will have to dial all ten digits to get through to someone on the other line.
"I don't like it, we've been used to the other way without having to dial it for many many years so I don't think it's necessary," said Judith Hardbarger a Washington, WV resident.
The West Virginia Public Service Commission says it is necessary because of a new area code.
"I think initially people don't like change but it will be alright," said Rick Cline, a Parkersburg resident.
Customers who sign up for a new telephone service after March 28 next year could get the new 681 area code.
No 304 numbers will change.
You will have to remember to reprogram saved phone numbers, safety systems, alarm and security systems and any other kind of automatic dialing equipment.
So if you do have an alarm or security system officials say check with the company to make sure it's programmed with a 10 digit number.
This new area code isn't for a different region.
It's coming into use because all the 304 numbers could eventually be used.
WTAP News
