Today@Dal

Next fall, the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is launching a second area code for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. This will not change any existing phone numbers. However, all calling — including local calls — will require dialing all 10 digits of the phone number beginning August 23.

Information Technology Services has a review of Dal’s information systems well underway to ensure they are ready for the changeover before August.

The end-of-term is an ideal time to look at your own personal systems (phone lists, websites, etc.) and start preparing them now for 10-digit local calling. Here is what you need to know:

Why 10-digit local calling is being implemented

• The new area code (782) will not be associated with a particular region or area. It will be assigned to new numbers throughout the province.
• A local call could use either of the two area codes (902 or 782), meaning you'll need to dial all 10 digits to properly connect the call.
  

What 10-digit local calling means for you

• Starting August 23, 2014, all outbound local calls must include the area code plus the seven-digit phone number (ex. 902-123-4567). This applies to both landline and mobile calling.
  • Example: To call locally from a landline campus phone, you would press “9” to dial out as you do now, but would then need to dial the area code in addition to the rest of the number (902-123-4567). Unlike long distance calls, you do not include the “1” for local calls.
•  All other calls are unaffected, including:
  • Four-digit internal dialing on campus in both Halifax and Truro
  • All long-distance dialing
  • Operator assisted dialing
  • Provincial 911 service
    

How you can start preparing now

Although ten-digit local calling will not be mandatory until late August, all networks — Bell Aliant, Eastlink, Bell Mobility, Telus, Rogers — are now configured for 10-digit local calling. This means everyone can begin making changes to support 10-digit local calling right now.

Information Technology Services will be handling major institutional systems (Banner, Dal’s online directory, security and alarm systems) but faculty and staff will need to review their individual systems and devices to ensure they are ready for the transition.

These include:

• Personal contact lists (Outlook, Apple Mail, etc.)
• Call lists on mobile devices
• Fax machine speed dial programming
• Phone sets with programmable speed dial lists
• Any telephone manually forwarded to either an external local number or voicemail
• Email signatures
• Website content and contacts
  

If, in any of these areas, you have procedures or data for local calls that do not include the area code, please begin making changes to ensure they now use the full 10-digit number.

Looking ahead

For more information, please visit the 10-Digit Calling page on the Information Technology Services’ Sharepoint site within MyDal.

ITS will continue to update the Dal community and issue reminders as we get closer to the August 23 transition date, after which 10-digit calling becomes mandatory.