Nationwide 10-Digit Dialing Required to Implement “988”

As part of the 988-implementation process, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) has identified 84 area codes that must transition to 10-digit dialing before the deadline for the number to be operational. The FCC’s July 2020 Order requires all telecommunications carriers, interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers, and one-way VoIP providers to make any network changes necessary to ensure that users can dial 988 to reach the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) by July 16, 2022 (see JSI’s e-Lert for more information on the Order).

The FCC directed NANPA to develop an implementation schedule that will allow all covered providers to meet the deadline to transition to 10-digit dialing in areas that both use seven-digit dialing and use 988 as the first three numbers in seven-digit phone numbers. During an August 14, 2020, conference call, NANPA discussed the 84 area codes which will need to convert to 10-digit dialing, as well as the conversion schedule, technical milestones and customer education efforts.

If your company serves any of the area codes required to convert to 10-digit dialing or if you have 988 as a central office code (prefix), please contact one of our experts by clicking the button below to review your requirements under the Order and the NANPA 10-digit dialing transition plan.