Cricket Wireless subscribers have had to do it since last June. And, since the Legislature is still in session, someone wants to change it:
The Public Service Commission says, starting March 1, all phone calls in Utah must include dialing 10 digits. Also, all new phone numbers will have the 385 area code, regardless of city.
Rep. Jim Dunnigan is worried about that 10-digit dialing, especially for seniors and children.
"Now we are going to tell them, it's not enough to memorize seven numbers, you have to memorize 10, and is it 801 or is it 385," he said.
Dunnigan is sponsoring House Bill 215 to assign the new area code by geography, like 435.
The PSC made the decision to overlay the new area code in 2007.
I like this bill, in principle. However, given the late date, it seems a little late. It's coming a little too fast to change things now.
However, there does need to be information coming out about this. As much as I hate being reminded of the switch to digital television on Feb 17, At least you can't say you didn't know. And only a small portion of the population will be affected.
But how many of you know you'll have to dial ten digits when making a phone call in a month?
Anyone?
-Bob
