Get ready for 10-digit dialing for local calls in South Dakota.
Last summer, the Federal Communications Commission adopted an order approving the designation of 988 as the 3-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This designation will require South Dakota residents to transition to 10-digit dialing for local phone calls.
In a few states like South Dakota, 988 is a prefix for some local phone numbers. If you try dialing 988-1111 after 988 becomes the suicide helpline number, for example, you will reach the suicide helpline. Dialing the 10-digit phone number will prevent misdirected calls.
Initially, 10-digit dialing on Alliance phone lines was optional. Beginning July 15, 2022, you must dial 605 plus the phone number for all calls that you make on Alliance phone lines. You will need to dial the area code whether you’re calling someone across the street or across the nation. Many telephone service providers have been enforcing 10-digit dialing for several months, so you might already be used to this change.
Your telephone number, rates and services will remain the same. A local call today will remain a local call on and after July 15 regardless of the number of digits that you dial.
Key dates to remember
July 15, 2022: Callers must dial 10 digits to make local calls. No phone providers will complete seven-digit calls after this date.
July 16, 2022: If you dial 988, the suicide prevention hotline will answer your call.
What other changes will customers need to make?
Alliance shared this change in various ways throughout the past year. Please remember to reprogram all automatic dialing equipment from seven to 10 digits. Some examples are:
- Life safety systems or medical monitoring devices (ex. LifeAlert)
- Private Branch Exchanges or PBXs
- Fax machines
- Fire or burglar alarms and security systems or gates
- Speed dialers
- Mobile or other phone contact lists
- Call forwarding settings
- Voicemail services and other similar functions
Update the programmed call settings on contact lists, home security systems, wearable alarms and calling networks within companies to ensure they continue working properly. Also check contact information on websites, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, personal or pet ID tags, and other such items to ensure the area code is included.
Starting now, Alliance recommends that customers get in the habit of dialing the 605 area code plus the 7-digit phone number to make local calls. (To make a long distance call on your Alliance phone, you’ll continue dialing a 1 before the area code.)
- For local calls, dial (605) ###-####
- For long distance calls, dial 1 (605) ###-####
If you forget to dial 605 after 10-digit dialing is required for local calls, the customer will receive this message: “Your call cannot be completed as dialed. Please hang up and include the area code when calling this number.”
For more information, call 611 from any phone with Alliance service or (605) 582-6311.