10-Digit Dialing In 812 Area Code Will Be Mandatory

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana utility officials say 10-digit dialing in southern Indiana's 812 area code will become mandatory in September.

They say the six-month grace period in which local calls can be made by dialing either seven or 10 digits is more than halfway over.

Starting Sept. 6, consumers with 812 telephone numbers will be required to use 10-digit dialing for all local calls. If not, calls will not be completed and a recording will instruct people to hang up and dial again.

The change in dialing patterns is necessary for the introduction of the new 930 area code this fall. The new code is being added as an overlay in the same geographic region because 812 phone numbers are running out. Existing 812 phone numbers won't change.