Local calls: 7 or 11 digits?

Tiki Bar · Post by **Tiki Bar** » March 30, 2006 9:22 am

I was in another state this week, which got me wondering... where you live, do you have to dial the area code for all calls you make, whether local or long distance? Or are there still places in this country where you can dial local phone numbers without the area code?

I live in the Chicago area, and don't even remember how many years ago we switched to dialing the area code all the time, since so many new ones were needed to accomodate population, cell phones, fax machines, modems, etc.

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » March 30, 2006 9:23 am

Just the 7 numbers, and RI still has just one area code....

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » March 30, 2006 9:26 am

7 digit dialing here. Believe it or not, in my hometown we're only about 15 years removed from 4 digit dialing.

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » March 30, 2006 9:27 am

I haven't quite figured it out yet.

If I call into the town we live right outside of I just dial 5 numbers

I'm in the habit of dialing 7 numbers so if I'm calling anywhere but that town I use all 7.

fins2theleft · Post by **fins2theleft** » March 30, 2006 9:27 am

here in the DFW metroplex we have to dial 10 digits area code and 7 digit #, but no 1 is needed unless it is long distance from your house.
but in my old home state of New Mexico there is only one area code for the whole state, so it's just 7 digit dialing

PHAW Webmistress · Post by **PHAW Webmistress** » March 30, 2006 9:28 am

10 here.......we have 2 different area codes just in the Denver metro area intermingled so when someone leaves a message you HAVE to give the area code AND phone number.

Tiki Bar · Post by **Tiki Bar** » March 30, 2006 9:41 am

Ok - I added a couple options... I had no idea I was going to need 'em!

I'm amazed that some still dial 7, but what's the deal with 5??? And who had 4??? And how weird that some places need the area code, but not the 1?!?!

How bizarre! More confirmation I'm living a sheltered life!

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » March 30, 2006 9:43 am

We have some clients in other countries, it takes about 20 minutes to press all the numbers to call them.

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » March 30, 2006 9:47 am

Believe it or not.... usually just the 7 #s to call Tampa and the surrounding areas..... About 20 miles radius.... then it gets tricky....

From my house to my office... same county mind you...just 24 miles apart..... I would have to dial the area code and the number. No #1.

From my house to call BG over in St Pete 40 miles away... I dial #1 PLUS the area code and number. (she has a different area code) to call 4 miles to the Polk county line... I need an area code first... but no #1...a/c is different!

So I just use my cell phone and have no long distance service on the home line. I am not even sure why we still have it......

Cubbie Bear · Post by **Cubbie Bear** » March 30, 2006 9:48 am

I live in Iowa.....

You crank the handle on the side of the phone, when Sarah the operator comes on you say, "Sarah, this is Andy, down ta the courthouse, git me Aint Bee"

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » March 30, 2006 10:08 am

10 digits. area code + 7 digit phone number.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » March 30, 2006 10:09 am

rednekkPH wrote:7 digit dialing here. Believe it or not, in my hometown we're only about 15 years removed from 4 digit dialing.

10 years ago in my ex-boyfriend's hometown (a rural area about 45 mins outside of denver) they could dial locally with only 5 digits.

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » March 30, 2006 10:09 am

buffettbride wrote:10 digits. area code + 7 digit phone number.

to next door???

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » March 30, 2006 10:10 am

ToplessRideFL wrote:
buffettbride wrote:10 digits. area code + 7 digit phone number.
to next door???

yep. in denver we have two "local" area codes. 303 and 720. no matter where you call in the greater metro area ya gotta dial the area code then all 7 digits. even if it's just next door.

comemonday · Post by **comemonday** » March 30, 2006 10:11 am

10 digits for local --- 1 + 10 digits for long distance.

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » March 30, 2006 10:13 am

buffettbride wrote:
ToplessRideFL wrote:
buffettbride wrote:10 digits. area code + 7 digit phone number.
to next door???
yep. in denver we have two "local" area codes. 303 and 720. no matter where you call in the greater metro area ya gotta dial the area code then all 7 digits. even if it's just next door.

I would bet all metro areas will start seeing that.......

MelliJellyBean · Post by **MelliJellyBean** » March 30, 2006 10:16 am

7-digits here for local calling in WV. There is only one area code for the entire state!

iuparrothead · Post by **iuparrothead** » March 30, 2006 10:16 am

Cubbie Bear wrote:I live in Iowa.....

You crank the handle on the side of the phone, when Sarah the operator comes on you say, "Sarah, this is Andy, down ta the courthouse, git me Aint Bee"

Wow, Cubbie!!! You've evolved!

Tiki Bar · Post by **Tiki Bar** » March 30, 2006 10:17 am

buffettbride wrote:
ToplessRideFL wrote:
buffettbride wrote:10 digits. area code + 7 digit phone number.
to next door???
yep. in denver we have two "local" area codes. 303 and 720. no matter where you call in the greater metro area ya gotta dial the area code then all 7 digits. even if it's just next door.

We're 1+area code+7 digits to next door...

There may be more, but my neighbors can have any of the following overlapping area codes: 847, 224, 630, 708, 815, or 312...

SuperTrooper · Post by **SuperTrooper** » March 30, 2006 10:17 am

Cubbie Bear wrote:I live in Iowa.....

You crank the handle on the side of the phone, when Sarah the operator comes on you say, "Sarah, this is Andy, down ta the courthouse, git me Aint Bee"

We used 5 numbers until I went to high skrewl, then I had to learn to remember the new digits.

My aunt Barbara was a long distance operator for Ma Bell until automation eliminated her job around 1979.

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Local calls: 7 or 11 digits?

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Local calls: 7 or 11 digits?