The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the creation of 988 as the 3-digit abbreviated dialing code to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline starting on July 16,2022. To implement this change Nationwide, all states where 988 is a working prefix (including Vermont and New Hampshire), must implement mandatory 10-digit dialing for all local calls by October 24, 2021.
The new dialing procedure to complete local calls within your area will require you dial the 802 + the 7-digit number for Vermont or 603 + the 7-digit number for New Hampshire. This will likely include all pager numbers. If you hear a call cannot be completed as dialed recording when dialing a local number, please hang up and redial with the area code first.
It is important you update your phone contacts, call forwarding numbers and equipment set to dial 7-digit numbers. Most carriers already accept 10-digit local dialing so you should be able to program and test the change in advance of the October deadline.
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