Back in 2020, the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) announced that the number of “540” area code phone numbers was starting to run low. After considering feedback from localities and the public, the SCC decided to create a new area code overlay that requires dialing 10 digits for all phone calls.
What is an Area Code Overlay?
An area code overlay places two area codes within the same region. That means the existing 540 area code will continue alongside the new 826.
So how does this impact me?
Starting on May 14, you must dial 10 digits for every phone call. So if you’re calling B-Connected, you must dial 540-908-4212. Every phone call that’s either 540 or 826 will require you to dial 10 digits.
So what do I need to do?
It probably makes sense to start dialing all your calls with 10 digits. If you have numbers programmed into your phone, you should probably make sure it includes the area code.
Wait, why is this happening again?
This is the plan the SCC decided to implement. You may recall that our Town Council adopted a resolution in March 2020 endorsing the “Blue Ridge Division” for creating a geographical split that would have preserved the existing 540 area code for our region. It also would have preserved 7-digit dialing for all of us in the Shenandoah Valley. Unfortunately, the SCC didn’t adopt our plan, so we now live in a 10-digit dialing world. Sorry Tommy Tutone.