Questions about Telephones

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South Dakotans should start getting used to dialing 10 digits when making local phone calls.

The Federal Communications Commission adopted last summer 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.

Key dates to remember

  • April 24, 2021: Customers are strongly encouraged to start dialing 10 digits for all local calls. Both 7-digit and 10-digit calls to local numbers will still be completed, however.
  • October 24, 2021: Customers should dial 10 digits for all local calls. Some phone providers might not complete 7-digit calls starting on this date.
  • 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: All 988 calls will be routed to the suicide prevention hotline. Prior to July 16, 2022, those wishing to reach the Suicide Lifeline must continue to dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

In some states like South Dakota, 988 is a prefix for some local phone numbers. Therefore, if a caller tried dialing 988-1111 after 988 becomes the suicide helpline number, the call would be sent to the suicide helpline. Dialing the 10-digit phone number will prevent calls from being misdirected.

Starting April 24, 2021, Alliance recommends that you get in the habit of dialing the 605 area code plus the 7-digit phone number to make local calls.

In addition to changing your dialing routine, you’ll also have to reprogram 7-digit local numbers to 10-digit numbers if you use speed dial or any other system that automatically makes calls for you. If someone forgets to dial 605 after 10-digit dialing is required, 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.”

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission provides additional information here.

What will be the new dialing procedure?

In South Dakota, to complete all local calls, you will need to dial the 605 area code + telephone number. This applies to all calls within the 605 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits.

Will I or anyone I know need to change our phone number?

No. One of the reasons for changing to 10-digit dialing is to avoid the need to change people’s telephone numbers.

What other changes will I need to make?

In addition to changing your dialing patterns, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to complete local calls using only seven-digit numbers will need to be reprogrammed to complete calls to 10-digit numbers. Some examples are:

  • life safety systems or medical monitoring devices (like LifeAlert)
  • Private Branch Exchanges, or PBXs
  • fax machines
  • Internet dial-up numbers
  • fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates
  • speed dialers
  • mobile or other phone contact lists
  • call forwarding settings
  • voicemail services and other similar functions

Taking the time to update the programmed call settings on your contact lists, home security systems, wearable alarms and calling networks within companies will help ensure all of these systems we rely on will continue working properly long past the required implementation deadline in October of this year.

You should also be sure to check contact information on websites, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, your personal or pet ID tags, and other such items to ensure the area code is included.

What can I expect to stay 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 dialing change.
  • What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
  • You will continue to dial 1+ the area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls.
  • You will continue to dial a prefix (such as “9”) when dialing from a multi-line telephone system (i.e., in a hotel, office building, etc.) as required.
  • You can still dial just three digits to reach 711 (relay services) and 911 (emergency services).
  • Any 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, or 811 services available in your community can still be reached by dialing their three-digit codes.
  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can still be reached by dialing 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) even after the 988 code is in effect.

Will I be able to dial 988 without a prefix from a multi-line telephone system?

No, you still will need to dial a prefix first when dialing 988 from a multi-line telephone system, where a prefix is required (for example, dialing 9 first from a hotel or office building multi-line telephone system).

To set up a conference call, please call our office by dialing 611 from any phone with Alliance service, or call 605-594-3411. You can manage your Conference Calling settings from your computer using the Web Portal.

System Requirements
The Web Portal is fully functional with Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Mozilla. There is limited functionality with Internet Explorer and Safari.

Click here for instructions on using On Demand Conference Calling.

To set up a Notify Plus call, please call our office by dialing 611 from any phone with Alliance service, or call 605-594-3411. You can manage your Notify Plus settings from your computer using the Web Portal.

System Requirements
The Web Portal is fully functional with Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Mozilla. There is limited functionality with Internet Explorer and Safari.

Click here for instructions on using Notify Plus.

To set up Single Number Service, please call our office by dialing 611 from any phone with Alliance service, or call 605-594-3411. You can manage your Single Number Service settings from your computer using the Web Portal.

System Requirements
The Web Portal is fully functional with Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Mozilla. There is limited functionality with Internet Explorer and Safari.

Click here for instructions on setting up and using Single Number Service.

Long distance changes may apply.

Record Your First Greeting

Record Your Second Greeting

Re-record an Existing Greeting

Record Your Name

Change Your Password

Listen to New Message

Listen to Saved Messages

Reply to a Message

Send a Message

Send Voice Mail Message to Email

Forward a Message

Play the Current Date and Time

Change Auto-Login

Change Daily Notification

Change Language

Change Out-Dial Number

This feature sends your Voice Mail messages to your email inbox so you can listen to your messages on your computer. If you use this feature, your messages are still accessible on your phone.

Click here for the Voice Mail to Email user guide.

 

The Web Portal gives you enhanced management over your voice mail messages. You can change your settings, including your PIN, email notification for sending your messages to your email inbox, and more.

You can manage greetings, which allows you to upload new greetings and quickly change between greetings when you’re away. The Web Portal also gives you the ability to set a schedule for greetings to work at specific times and also for specific callers.

Along with the convenience of managing personal settings, you can listen to messages and save/delete messages from the Web Portal. With the Web Portal, you may never need to access your messages via your phone!

The Web Portal is fully functional with Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Mozilla. There is limited functionality with Internet Explorer and Safari.

Web Portal User Guide for Voice Mail

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