10-digit dialing starts next month

As of Feb. 26, 10-digit dialing will be required to place local calls.

To ensure an ongoing supply of telephone numbers, the phone providers will add a new “531” area code to the geographic region that presently is served solely by “402.”

Employees can begin to use 10-digit dialing for local calls starting Saturday. As of Feb. 26, 10-digit dialing will be required for local calls.

You can begin 10-digit dialing for local calls now and ITS Telecommunications recommends that employees start to use the 10-digit dialing as soon as possible.

To make 10-digit local calls from UNMC phones, dial:

• *9-402-xxx-xxxx;
  
• *9-531-xxx-xxxx; and/or
  
• *9-712-xxx-xxxx for local Iowa calls.

ITS Telecommunications also recommends that employees:

• Update autodial buttons on equipment such as telephone sets, fire alarms, monitoring, security systems, fax servers and machines;
  
• Check campus websites, stationery and other materials that contain contact information; and
  
• Include area codes on call back numbers when leaving voice mail messages.

Three digit dialing will still be used for information calls (411) and off-campus emergencies (911).

For more information, contact the UNMC ITS helpdesk at 559-7700 or Frank Plummer at 559-3997.