Mandatory 10-digit dialing in Western Washington

July 15, 2017 11:45 am
Mandatory 10-digit dialing in Western Washington

Callers in western Washington will have to dial the area code along with the seven-digit phone number to make a local call, beginning July 29.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved a new area code for western Washington in May 2016 to address the need for more numbers, according to the Transportation Commission.

To implement the new area code, the Commission said they also approved a mandatory 10-digit dialing for all of western Washington.

The new area code, 564, will overlay all of western Washington an will be initially be distributed to the 360 area code territory, the commission said.

As new numbers are needed in the 206,253 and 425 area code territories, 564 will also be distributed there to meet demand.

Beginning July 29, all calls within the western Washington area must be placed using the 10-digit phone number. If they only dial seven digits, the number will not be completed as dialed and the caller will hear the announcement instructing them to redial and to include the area code, according to the Commission.

  • The 546 area code will be assigned to new phone lines or services beginning August 28.
  • Important information the Commission would like consumers to see:
  • Current telephone numbers, including current area code, will not change.
  • Consumers will continue to dial 1 + area code + telephone number to complete long distance calls.
  • A local call will remain a local call.
  • The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change.
  • Calling 911 will not change.
  • Consumers will continue to dial three digits to reach 211 and 811, as well as 311 and 511 where available.

Another important thing they would like to note is that consumers should confirm that all services, automatic dialing, applications, software or other types of equipment recognize the new 564 area code. This may include life-safety systems, fax machines, internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, ankle monitors, speed dialers, mobile phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions.

Any call forwarding functions will also need to be updated to include the 10-digit telephone number.

For more information go to the UTC’s website at www.utc.wa.gov/overlay or contact your local telephone service provider.