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To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the new 820 area code will be added to the area served by area code 805. This process is known as an area code overlay. Get ready to change the way you dial your local calls!
What is an area code overlay?
An area code overlay is the addition of another area code (820) to the same geographic region served by an existing area code (805). An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code, but does require them to dial “1” followed by the area code and the seven-digit telephone number on every call, including calls within the same area code.
Who will be affected?
Everyone with an 805 area code is affected. The 805 area code serves most of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties as well as small portions of Monterey and Kern Counties. Cities served by the 805 area code include Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Buellton, Camarillo, Carpinteria, Fillmore, Goleta, Grover Beach, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Moorpark, Morro Bay, Ojai, Oxnard, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, Port Hueneme, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Solvang, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura. The new 820 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 805 area code.
What will be the new dialing procedure?
To complete calls from a landline phone, the new dialing procedure requires anyone with an 805 or 820 area code to dial 1 + area code + telephone number. This means that all calls in the 805 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to be dialed using 1 + area code + telephone number.
To complete calls from a cellular or mobile phone, callers may dial the area code + telephone number or 1 + area code + telephone number whenever placing a call from a phone number with the 805 or 820 area code.
When will the change begin?
Effective December 1, 2017, you should begin using the new dialing procedure whenever you place a call from the 805 area code. If you forget and dial just seven digits, your call will still be completed.
Beginning June 2, 2018, you must use the new dialing procedure, as described above for all calls, even for local calls. On and after this date, if you do not use the new dialing procedure, your calls will not be completed and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again using the new dialing procedure.
Beginning June 30, 2018, new telephone lines or services in the 805 area may be given numbers from the new 820 area code.
What will you need to do?
In addition to changing your dialing procedure, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial a 7-digit number will need to be reprogrammed to use the new dialing procedure. Some examples are life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm security systems and gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, etc. You may also want to check your personal and business stationery, checks, advertising materials, websites, contact information, and personal or pet ID tags to ensure the 1 + area code is included in the telephone number.
What will remain the same?
- Your 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, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811.
Who may you contact with questions?
If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please contact Comcast Customer Service at 1-800-XFINITY or access the following website for more information: www.cpuc.ca.gov/805areacode/.