New 681 Area Code Will Share the Existing Statewide 304 Area Code

To accommodate the growing need for telephone numbers in the state of West Virginia, the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (WV PSC) has approved the addition of a new area code.  The new 681 area code will cover the entire state of West Virginia as the 304 area code does. 

 How will this affect me?

No one that currently has the 304 area code will need to change their existing phone number when the 681 area code numbers are introduced.  All customers within the 304/681 geography, which includes the entire state of West Virginia, will need to dial the appropriate area code followed by the 7-digit telephone number when dialing a local call.

What will be the New Dialing Procedure?

Because of the addition of the 681 area code, you will be required to dial 10-digits (area code + 7-digit phone number) when making local calls.  Long distance calls will continue to require 1+10 digit dialing.  Operator assisted calls will continue to require 0+10-digit dialing.  Remember to use the new 681 area code as needed. 

When will the Change begin?

Effective July 26, 2008, you should begin using the new dialing procedure whenever you place a local call from the 304 area code. If you forget and use the old dialing procedure of dialing just seven digits, your call will still be completed.

Beginning February, 28 2009, you must use the new 10-digit dialing procedure for all local calls and 7-digit dialing will no longer be allowed.  After this date, if you do not use 10-digit dialing for local calls, your call will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.

Beginning March 28, 2009, new telephone lines or services in West Virginia may be assigned numbers with the 681 area code.

What will you need to do?

§         You will need to dial 10-digits (area code + 7-digit phone number) for all local calls.

§         You may need to reprogram or upgrade your equipment if you use specialized communications equipment like a PBX, electronic telephone sets, auto-dial systems or multi-line key systems.

§         Some automatically dialed calls may require reprogramming to 10-digits.  These calls may include:  life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voice mail services, and similar functions.

§         Check your business stationery or any other advertising materials or logos to be sure they include the area code.

What will remain the same?

§         Your 10-digit 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.

§         What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.

§         You can still dial just three digits to reach 911.  If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811 are currently available in your community you can still dial them with just three digits.

Who May You Contact with Questions?

If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call 304-983-2211 or access the following Web site for more information: www.psc.state.wv.us/10DigitDialing/deault.htm