10-Digit Dialing Starts This Weekend
Starting on Sunday you will have to start dialing all ten digits when making a phone call in Northwest Missouri.
The change from seven digit to 10-digit dialing is a FCC requirement due to the nationwide roll out of a suicide prevention hotline that will use 988. That nationwide hotline is expected to be active by July 16, 2022.
According to the FCC 82 area codes in 35 states have an exchange of 988 that until now have allowed seven digit dialing. That includes four Missouri area codes and both in our listening area, 816 and 660.
The change affects both land line and cell phone users.
During the transition to 988, anyone who needs helps should continue to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK).
