10 digit dialing coming to Eugene

In January 2010, 7 digit dialing for local telephone calls in the Eugene area ends and 10 digit dialing (area code + number) will be required when making local calls.  This change was worked out by the organization which manages the North American (telephone) Numbering Plan in cooperation with the Oregon Public Utility Commission to accommodate the addition of a new area code (458) for this region.

The new area code will cover the same regions as the existing 541 area code.  The advantage to this approach is that no existing phone numbers will change.  The disadvantage is that phones in the same calling area can have different area codes so local calls require 10 digit dialing.  This change will apply to all telephones in the 541 area code including UO phones, other business lines, residential lines and cell phones.  The Portland/Salem region has required 10 digit dialing for a number of years now.

5 digit dialing to other UO phones (in Eugene and Portland) will remain unchanged through the area code transition.

Some areas to think about that could be affected by this change:

- Databases that store 7 digit phone numbers.
- Fax machines on campus programmed with 7 digit numbers
- Auto dialers that call local 7 digit numbers
- Literature that lists 7 digit numbers without area codes

Questions and Answers

1. Q: Does this change affect dialing between UO telephones?
   A: No, when dialing on campus, continue to dial your party's 5-digit UO extension
   
   
2. Q: Do I have to dial a "1" before the area code when dialing off-campus?
   A: Yes, if the number you are trying to reach is not within the local calling area. Dial 9 then 1 then the area code and number you are trying to reach. Local calls do not require the "1", you would simply dial 9 plus the 10-digit telephone number.
   
   Preferred way to dial a local call: dial 9 then the 10-digit local number. Example: 9-541-123-4567
   Preferred way to dial a long distance call: 9 then 1 then the 10-digit number. Example: 9-1-541-987-6541
   
   When in doubt, dial the "1" and the call will complete even when the call is local. The UO phone system will figure out your call is local and do the right thing.
   
   
3. Q: Does this change affect long distance rates or calling areas?
   A: No, what's considered long distance and what's considered a local call does not change, nor does the rate structure change.
   
   
4. Q: What about speed-dial or autodial numbers programmed into my UO telephone?
   A: In the vast majority of cases, Telecommunications has already reprogrammed these numbers to include the area code, so they will work correctly when the change takes effect.
   
   Some UO telephones, the 9630 and 1608 IP sets, have a feature that allows you to store contacts in a list on the telephone (similar to the same function you're used to seeing on your cell phone). Telecommunications cannot see those entries or reprogram them for you. If you use the "Contacts" feature on these phones, and have 7-digit phone numbers programmed in, you'll want to edit these entries and add the area code to the 7-digit phone number.
   
   
5. Q: What about University of Oregon numbers listed in the Dex phone book?
   A: The latest Dex phone book includes the area code for the (many) UO listings. Older Dex phone books simply list the 7-digit 346-XXXX number. The online Dex pages list the area code as well.
   
   
6. Q: What about the contacts/address book in my cell phone?
   A: You'll need to edit any 7-digit telephone numbers and add the area code.
   

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