BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
A new area code that will be assigned beginning next year will not affect existing numbers but will affect how those numbers are dialed.
According to a letter from CenturyLink, the area code 324 will be overlayed in the same northeast Florida region covered by the 904 area code, which includes all or part of Nassau, Duval, Baker, Bradford, Clay, St. Johns and Union counties.
Because two area codes will serve the same geographic area, a new 10-digit dialing procedure will be required. Dialing all 10 digits of the phone number will be necessary to complete a call. The area code, once unnecessary when making a “local call,” will now be essential.
Beginning July 31, CenturyLink said callers should begin using all 10 digits, although there will be a grace period during which calls will still be completed when dialing seven numbers.
However, beginning Jan. 29, 2024, callers must dial all 10 digits, even when making calls in the same area code. If you dial seven numbers, a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again using the area code.
This will all take place in advance of numbers being issued with the new 324 area code. New lines will be assigned that area code beginning Feb. 26, 2024.
Please note that the new dialing procedure may require some automatic dialing technology to be updated. Examples include life safety systems, security systems, call forwarding settings, voice mail services, etc., if they are currently programmed to dial a seven-digit telephone number.
Note:
—your telephone number, including your current area code, will not change.
—the price of a call will not change due to the overlay.
—a local call will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
—you can still dial services like 911 using three digits.
