FAQ

What is 10-digit local dialing? [+] [-]

• 10-digit local dialing means that the caller must dial the area code (three digits) followed by the phone number (seven digits) for all local communications.

What regions are affected by 10-digit local dialing? [+] [-]

• The regions covered by area code 705 in Northern Ontario will adopt 10-digit dialing for all local calls. This dialing method is already effective everywhere else in Québec, as well as in several major Canadian cities.

When should residents and businesses start using the area code in local calls in the 705 region? [+] [-]

• By January 15, 2011, for all affected regions, but since most telephone service providers already support 10-digit local dialing, you can start adding the area code to all local calls right now.

What will happen if residents and businesses dial a seven-digit number after this date?? [+] [-]

• A network announcement will prompt them to use 10-digit dialing the next time. Because this message may disrupt data transmission (faxes, Internet, etc.), it reinforces the importance of quickly adopting 10-digit dialing.
  
  Starting March 5, 2011, all local calls will have to be preceded by the area code, otherwise they will not be connected.

Why must 10-digit dialing be used for local calls? [+] [-]

• This dialing method will pave the way for the introduction of a new area code, which will then create millions of new numbers. 10-digit dialing is becoming mandatory for local communications because it allows the same telephone number to exist in both the current and the new area codes.

Which regions are affected by the introduction of new area codes? [+] [-]

• The regions served by area code 613 and 705 in Ontario and area code 450 in Québec.

What are the new area codes? [+] [-]

• The 343 code will be introduced in the region now served by 613,the 579 code in the region served by 450 and the 249 in the region served by 705 .

When will the new area codes be introduced? [+] [-]

• Gradually, starting on May 17, 2010, for the 343 area code, on August 21, 2010, for the 579 area code and on March 19, 2011 for the 249 area code or in the following months, depending on demand.

Will all new numbers after these dates have the new area codes? [+] [-]

• No. Numbers will continue to be assigned with area codes 613, 450 and 705 until there are none left.

When will it be possible for companies to reserve new numbers in area codes 343 ,579 or 249? [+] [-]

• The Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA) will assign blocks of new numbers to telecommunications carriers only when all numbers in the existing area codes have run out. For more details, companies should contact their telecommunications carrier.

What should a company do if it wishes to add new phone lines? [+] [-]

• Companies should contact their telecommunications carrier.

What is the “overlay method”? [+] [-]

• The overlay method simply involves adding a new code to the geographic region served by an existing area code. The two codes then co-exist, providing for a substantial increase in available telephone numbers in the region without affecting existing numbers.

Why was the decision made to use the overlay method instead of the geographic split, as was done previously in some regions? [+] [-]

• Because the target regions are densely populated, telecommunications industry members and government agencies judged the overlay method to be more practical and appropriate. Accordingly, in 2010 area code 343 will be added to the 613 region, and area code 579 to the 450 region. In 2011,area code 249 will be added to the 705 region.

Isn’t it more complicated to have two area codes covering the same region? [+] [-]

• Think of it this way: your phone number now has 10 digits instead of 7: the area code + 123-4567. This approach has the advantage of having no impact on existing phone numbers.

Are we the first to overlay area codes to deal with a shortage of phone numbers? [+] [-]

• No. In 2000, Toronto became the first city in Canada to adopt the overlay method, followed by Vancouver in 2001. A number of American cities, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Miami and Philadelphia, have also successfully adopted this approach. More recently, this method was also chosen for Montréal and for the 418 area in Québec.

Will there soon be a shortage of numbers in other area codes? [+] [-]

• Yes. Many area codes will reach capacity in the coming years. This will be the case for the regions served by area codes 819 in Québec.

Will local calling areas remain the same? [+] [-]

• Yes. Introducing new area codes does not affect local calling areas in any way.

How should a telephone number be written? [+] [-]

• You are advised to write 10-digit telephone numbers as follows: 613 123-4567. The area code should not appear in parentheses since this may lead the caller to believe the area code is optional.

Can people continue to dial 9-1-1 in case of emergency? [+] [-]

• Yes. The 9-1-1 emergency number will not change in any way and will still involve entering only three digits.

If someone accidentally dials “1” before the 10-digit phone number when making a local call, will long-distance charges apply? [+] [-]

• No. The call will be recognized as a local call, and the caller will hear a network announcement to that effect.

Will long-distance calls be affected? [+] [-]

• Long-distance calls will continue to be made in the same manner. Simply enter “1” followed by the 10-digit number.

Will current phone numbers change? [+] [-]

• No. Your current phone number will not change.