Changes coming for dialing phone numbers in the 251 area code

In about a month, a new telephone dialing procedure mandated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be required for everyone in the 251 area code. Beginning Oct. 24, 2021, all customers within the 251 area code must dial 10 digits (area code plus the seven-digit telephone number) to complete local calls.

This, of course, includes all USA campus and USA Health phones, fax machines and copy machines with fax capabilities.

Here’s what WILL NOT change for the USA phone system after Oct. 24:

• Five-digit internal dialing still will work. (6 - ####, 7 - #### etc.)
• Dialing 511 internally will reach USA Campus Police or USA Health Security.
• You can still dial 911 or 9-911 to reach emergency services 911 for Mobile.
• You can still dial 9 and three digits to reach 211, 311, 411, 711 or 811.

Here’s what WILL change on the USA phone system beginning Oct. 24:

• All customers within the 251 area code must dial 10-digits (area code plus the seven-digit telephone number) to complete local calls outside of our system.

• All local seven-digit telephone number documentation and saved contacts will need to be updated to 10-digit telephone numbers that include the 251 area code. This applies to any personal phones, work phones, cell phones, fax numbers and any other system that currently utilize seven-digit local telephone numbers.

These changes are for all 251 area code phone numbers.