Will soon be mandatory in the 418 area.

The emergence of new communication technologies and services has contributed to the phenomenal growth in the demand for telephone numbers in many regions of Canada.

FAQ
Regions where 10-digit dialing is mandatory
Added area codes

Important

911 remains a 3-digit number

Numbers starting with 310 remain 7-digit numbers

Always dial "1" before a long-distance number

FAQ

• 418 area
  
• To make a 10-digit call
  
• Changes to be made
  
• To program your TELUS telephone set
  
• To obtain help programming your devices
  
• How and where to communicate your 10-digit number
  
• If you dial "1" by mistake before the 10 digits of a local number, will you have to pay long-distance charges?
  
• What is the Telecommunications Alliance? 

In 2008, businesses and consumers in the 418 region will have to adopt 10-digit dialing – the area code followed by the phone number – for all local communications, except when calling numbers with the 310 prefix. This new dialing method was successfully implemented in several regions of Quebec and Ontario in 2006.

As of June 21, 2008
Businesses and consumers will need to dial the area code followed by the 7-digit telephone number for all local calls. Calls made to a 7-digit number will be intercepted before being routed.

As of September 6, 2008
Ten-digit dialing will become mandatory: businesses and consumers will need to dial the area code followed by the seven-digit telephone number for all local calls. Calls made to a 7-digit number will no longer be routed.

After September 2008
A new area code, 581, will be introduced and will coexist with the 418 area code on the same territory.

Once the area code is in service, you must dial the 10-digit telephone number for a local call. For example, if you are trying to reach a subscriber whose telephone number starts with the existing 418 area code, you must dial 418-555-5555, even if you are calling your next-door neighbour, and even if you yourself are in the 418 area.

If you are in the 418 area and wish to speak to someone residing in the same city, whose new area code is 581, you must dial the 10 digits. You will not need to dial "1" since this is not a long-distance call.

Ten-digit dialing will not affect local calling area boundaries.

Note that 10-digit dialing applies to all telecommunication devices.This means you will need to add the area code to all numbers stored in memory:

• Wireless and landline telephones and their automatic features (e.g. speed-dialing, automatic call forwarding, caller ID display blocking)
• Private branch exchanges (PBX systems) and voice mail systems
• Faxes
• Modems and Internet dialers
• Devices for the hearing-impaired
• Alarm/security systems*
• Any equipment with speed dialing, automatic dialing and call forwarding features
• All other telecommunication devices, wireless or not

* Many security systems dial a pre-programmed number in an emergency. In some but not all cases, the number includes the area code. It is important to update the numbers to make sure they will work properly.

To find out how to program your telephone equipment, please refer to the user guides available via the following links:

To configure your landline phone

To configure your wireless phone

Customers are responsible for making the necessary changes to their equipment prior to the implementation of 10-digit dialing. For assistance in programming your devices, contact our representatives at 310-1212. Service charges may apply, depending on the contract, if a technician is required.

It is recommended that telephone numbers be written as follows: 418-123-4567. The area code should not be in parentheses because that might lead people to believe that it is optional.

• Indicate your 10-digit telephone number on your cheques, stationery, insurance policies, etc.
• Specify the area code when you are giving out your telephone, wireless, pager and other numbers.

No. Your telephone equipment will recognize that it is local number and you will hear a message to that effect.

The Telecommunications Alliance is a group of major Quebec-based telecommunication companies, including Bell, TELUS, Vidéotron, Rogers, Télébec, Sogetel, Fido, Allstream, and telephone companies represented by the ACTQ (association of telephone companies of Quebec). For more information on 10-digit dialing, visit the Web site set up for this purpose by the Telecommunications Alliance at dial10.ca

10-digit dialing for local calls will shortly be the standard throughout North America.

Added area codes

New area codes will be introduced as follows:

• 438 within the 514 area in Quebec, in 2007
• 226 within the 519 area in Ontario, in 2007
• 581 within the 418 area, in September 2008