Greenwich has long had two local telephone companies. Residents west of the Mianus River are serviced by Verizon, and in Old Greenwich and Riverside (east of the Mianus) dial-tone is provided by SNET, now AT&T. [The history of this bifurcation is something I’ve been researching for a future blog-post, and any reader with information on this topic is urged to contact me at OurGreenwich.Trotta@gmail.com.]
Well soon, in addition to two phone companies, we will have in Greenwich and the rest of southwest Connecticut two area codes: 203 and 475. No one’s current number will change. New numbers, issued after the current one’s run out in 2010, will have the new area code.
According to a news release starting tomorrow (May 16), “Verizon customers within the 203 area code should begin dialing the area code plus the seven-digit number for all local calls. [AUTHOR'S NOTE: Mandatory 10-digit dialing doesn't start until this November.]
“The Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control has ordered the implementation of the 203/475 area-code ‘overlay’ to ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers in the state. A statewide mandatory 10-digit dialing plan will also be implemented.”
Unlike the bothersome shift nine years ago, when all the counties other than Fairfield and New Haven were given area code 860, this new area code is not a geographic split but an “overlay” which means two area codes in one geographic area, like 212 and 646 both in Manhattan. So, there can be different area codes in one neighborhood, or even one house.
The “203” counties are expected to run out of new phone numbers next year. The rest of the state, some time later. When the “860” part of Connecticut runs out of numbers it will get the overlay area code 959.
Mandatory ten-digit dialing won’t start until November of this year, but has been permitted since April 1. According to the telephone company, “Effective May 16, callers should begin using the new dialing procedure whenever placing a local call in Connecticut. If callers forget and only dial the seven-digit telephone number, as they do today, the call will still be completed. However, beginning Nov. 14, callers must use the new procedure and dial the area code plus the telephone number. If not, the call will not be completed and a recording will instruct the caller to hang up and dial again. Beginning Dec. 12, Connecticut customers who are currently served by the 203 area code and request new telephone service, add a phone line, or, in some cases, move within the state, may receive the new 475 area code.” Here is a link to the Verizon website which discusses the change.
Start reprogramming your speed-dials now!
