Published: July 23, 2008 09:35 pm         

Keep dialing

Better get used to punching 10 numbers

A new telephone area code is coming to West Virginia in February 2009 and the state Public Service Commission wants you to start getting used to it this weekend.

For the next seven months, state residents are being encouraged by the PSC to dial the current area code, 304, plus the seven-digit number you are trying to reach, on all calls.

If you don’t, the calls will still be connected, but not for too much longer.

During the middle of this coming winter you will start seeing new numbers in our state with the area code of 681 in addition to the existing 304.

Then you must dial all 10 digits.

This is a change in habit and the plan is to get you thinking about it and ease into it before they flip the magic switch.

It’s a good idea, but come the end of February and likely for several weeks to follow, expect some confusion to set in.

And while we are certain it may be just a coincidence, analog television signals are being done away with across the country at just about the same time.

So for those state residents who rely on antenna service connected to their analog TVs, they will be faced with yet another major communications change in their lives.

Change is almost a dirty word to some folks and they’ll tend to try and fight it rather than adapt. However, this fight is over and done with and the deadlines to shift over are being advertised well in advance.

Start planning and changing your routine Saturday, it will help keep your frustration level a little lower a few short months from now.