A reminder to those who utilize the 870 area code: Beginning Friday, area residents must dial the 870 area code before dialing the seven-digit phone number, even for local calls.
According to the Arkansas Public Service Commission, ten-digit local dialing and a new area code are coming to parts of the state currently served by the 870 area code.
The commission says that geographic region is projected to exhaust its numbering supply during the first quarter of 2025. To ensure a continuing supply of numbers, the commission has approved 327 as a new area code for the region served by the 870 area code. Current 870 customers will retain their current area code, and their phone numbers will not be affected.
A six-month permissive dialing period began on July 21, 2023. During this period, local calls could be made with either 7 or 10 digits.
However, beginning Jan. 19, the new area code will require 10-digit dialing for all local calls, including those made within the same area code. All local calls will remain local even though ten digits will be required when dialing.
On Feb. 20, 2024, new telephone lines or services within the 870 area code may be assigned numbers with the new 327 area code.
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