NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — A growing population and the explosive expansion of the use of hand-held electronic devices has prompted the creation of a new area code for Middle Tennessee.
The Tennessee Regulatory Authority says that a 629 area code and 10-digit dialing will go into effect at the end of February, joining the 615 area code in everyday use.
Beginning February 28, everyone in the mid-state will have to dial 10 digits for every call, regardless whether the call is local or long distance.
The existing 615 and the 629 area codes will overlap, meaning that you might have a 615 phone number, while the person living next door may have a 629 number.
John Hutton works with the Tennessee Regulatory Commission.
“If you dial seven digits, even for local calls – say, for instance, your neighbor, your call will not go through. You’ll get a recording and it will say hang up and dial again.”
Hutton sys he’s especially concerned that some Tennessee seniors may be confused by the change and is asking residents to help their neighbors out during the transition.