10-digit dialing now required

Earlier this week, ten-digit dialing became mandatory in the Upper Peninsula, which is covered entirely by the 906 area code. The change has been suggested since the summer as the Federal Communications Commission tried to ease the region into the switch.

The dial code 988 has been set up to automatically transfer calls to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Thousands of phone numbers across the country already used that sequence in their first three digits. To keep from having calls redirect to a service that the dialer does not intend to reach out to, the FCC is forcing select area codes to punch in all 10 components for every call. Even if you are looking in Houghton and Hancock for a 482 or 487 number, the area code is now mandatory.

There has been the occasional hiccup with the roll out this week. Certain phone systems have had error messages reminding dialers to include the area code, even when they were in compliance with the new requirements. Overall, 82 area codes are affected nationwide.