New dialing procedure to become mandatory this fall

DAVENPORT— To ensure everyone can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline using the three-digit 988 code in the 82 area codes in 36 states, every customer with a number in those area codes with seven-digit local dialing must be transitioned to 10-digit (area code + telephone number) local dialing.

Beginning Oct. 24, all consumers with numbers in the 509 area code must dial 10 digits (area code and telephone number) for all local calls.

This summer, the FCC adopted an order approving 988 as the three-digit abbreviated dialing code to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline startin...