To accommodate the growing need for telephone numbers, a new 442 area code will be added to the area currently served by 760. This is known as an area code overlay. The new 442 area code will serve customers in the same geographic region as the current 760 area code. The 760 NPA generally covers all of Imperial, Inyo and Mono counties, most of San Bernardino County, the northern portion of San Diego County and the eastern portions of Kern and Riverside counties. The new 442 NPA will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 760 NPA.

As a result of the overlay, a new dialing procedure will require callers to dial 1 + area code + telephone number. This means that all calls within the 760 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits, as well as the new 442 numbers, will need to be dialed using ten digits. This 10-digit dialing plan becomes permissive on May 2, 2009 and will become mandatory on October 24, 2009. During the permissive dialing period, subscribers may dial calls within the overlay area on either a 7-digit or 1+10-digit basis, but will be encouraged to dial 1+10-digits. After the permissive period ends, all calls must be dialed using 1+10-digits.

All PSAP equipment located in the 760 area code and programmed to dial only seven digits must be updated or reprogrammed to dial the 1+10 digits. AT&T will be updating your Tandem Transfers, however you will need to update your programmable speed dials on your 9-1-1 call taking equipment. Please verify any pre-programmed fax machines as well. You may update your speed dials at any time, however they must be completed by October 24th. On this date, calls will not be completed through the network without the complete 10 digit dialing. If you need assistance with this activity, please contact your AT&T Emergency Communications Manager.

The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay, and what is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed. Customers can still dial just three digits to reach 911, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611 and 711.

If you have any further questions on the Area Code Overlay, please contact me or your AT&T Emergency Communications Manager.

Sincerely,

Patty Henderson
AT&T California
E 9-1-1 Project Manager
661-821-1555