Cy Stapleton' HOTLINE Newsletter #6

Copyright February, 1996

Area Code Changes

The changes in area codes are having a major effect on companies across the country. For the printer, many times it means more business, but can also present a major headache because all telephone equipment will not recognize the new middle digit of the area code. Until 1995 all area codes had a middle digit of either 0 or 1. Since 1995 the phone company started assigning 2-9 as a middle digit. The equipment that will be most effected by these changes will be PBX systems, electronic key systems and programmable fax machines. This equipment will have to be re-programmed before it can use the new area code format.

If you attempt to dial one of the new numbers and the system attempts to complete the call after seven digits have been dialed, you should immediately contact the manufacturer or vendor of your phone system equipment to make whatever programming is required. If you still need help, contact your phone company's Customer Response Center.

Another problem with area code changes is that all of the area codes in a certain area will not change. As an example, if 713 changes to 409, all numbers in 713 do not change. You have to find out what exchanges (the first three digits of the phone number) changed.

The following are recent and upcoming area code changes that I am aware of:

203 to 860
205 to 334
206 to 360
214 to 972
216 to 330
303 to 970
305 to 954
310 to 562
314 to 573
404 to 770
503 to 541
702 to 520
604 to 250
612 to 320
615 to 423
703 to 540
708 to 630 or 847
713 to 409 or 281
803 to 864
809 to 441
813 to 941
904 to 352


This list is not complete...

Other locations for additional information are as follows:

Ameritech - 1-708-765-2352
Bell Atlantic - 1-800-672-2628
BellSouth - 1-800-691-2992
Cincinnati Bell - 1-513-566-2210
GTE...


Pacific Bell - 1-800-332-1321
SNET - 1-800-361-8796
Southwestern Bell - 1-800-633-1875
U.S. West - 1-800-441-5516


I hope that you find this helpful. Area code changes have really been a thorn in my side in the attempt to keep the Hotline databases, BFP and ADBFP updated. The changes are coming in far faster than I can make them.

Commercial...
If you would like the complete Hotline source database on your own computer, the Hotline database (BFP) and the Ad Specialty database (ADBFP), the cost is $99 per program or $190 for both, plus $4.50 shipping and handling. BFP contains over 8,000 products and services for the printer who is interested in increasing his bottom line by outsourcing and ADBFP contains over 30,000 products from some 3,000 direct manufacturers of advertising specialty products. The databases may be ordered from:


The House of Gutenberg: You can place your order NOW and Cy will call you for your credit card information. Discover, MasterCard, Visa and American Express are accepted

If you have any ideas, I would like to hear from you. Just address your email response to hotlinecy@aol.com.

To receive a brochure describing how you can have the Helene's Hotline database on your own computer, Email me at hotlinecy@aol.com and give leave your fax number. The Hotline databases, BFP and Ad Specialty BFP give you the ability to easily shop numerous vendors for your outsourcing requirements.

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Date inserted: Monday, February 19, 1996 4:58:04