PUC holds workshop to answer questions about new area code

Idaho’s new area code will be here a little less than a year, so the Idaho Public Utilities Commission is traveling around the state to make sure people know 7-digit dialing will be a thing of the past.

First announced last November, Idaho will be getting a new ‘986’ area code starting September 2017.

The decision to add the area code came as a result of advancing technologies exhausting the amount of available numbers under the current ‘208’ area code.

“Every app you use on an iPad or on a phone has its own number. Also, every ATM machine has its own number,” said Gene Fadness, public information officer for the PUC. “There’s a lot more use for telephone numbers than just telephones.”

All current numbers will keep the ‘208’ code, as the new one will only be given to new phone numbers issued starting September 2017.

To help get people used to to it, the PUC said November will be the start of a voluntary 10-digit dialing period. People can still dial seven digits if they choose to. It will end Aug. 5, 2017, when 10-digit dialing will become required.

You can click here to find more information on the new area code. You’ll find links to the right under ‘Hot Items.’