Gone of the days of dialing 867-5309 to get your beloved Jenny if she lives in Connecticut. You'll have to dial 860-867-5309, or 203-867-5309 starting Saturday when Connecticut moves to 10-digit dialing.
If you want to reach your next-door neighbor, you'll need 10 digits. Trying to get in touch with your sister one town over in Waterbury? You need 10 digits.
You'll have to use the area code for all local calls. That means you'll have to re-program all your electronics, including fax machines and cell phone contact lists to include the area code.
The reason for the hassle is our need to stay connected. The state's running out of numbers for the existing area codes, and they'll be adding two new ones soon: 475 and 959.
Whether you have a land line, an Internet-connected phone or a cell phone, the new rules apply.
Because of the explosive growth in cells, pagers, laptops and other telecommunications devices, the need for new numbers has been overwhelming.
That also means that you may have to reprogram some of your devices, including cell phones and alarm systems.
Local
Connecticut and other states, along with the Federal Communications Commission and the telephone industry, have used technology to extend the life of existing area codes for more than a decade, but time has run out.
Also as more companies, such as cable television and Internet service providers, enter the telephone market, the need for additional numbers increases.
While we are all going to take some time getting used to this change, some things will remain the same.
The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay. You can still dial just three digits to reach 911.
If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811 are currently available in your community, you will still dial them with just three digits.
