Why 10-Digit Dialing Is Required
Overview
10-digit dialing means dialing the 3-digit area code plus the 7-digit phone number for every call (even local calls). When an area code transitions to 10-digit dialing, dialing only seven digits for a local call will no longer work. This change does not change your phone number—your existing area code and number stay the same.
Why Is 10-Digit Dialing a Requirement?
The FCC designated 988 as the nationwide, 3-digit number for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In some area codes, 988 is already used as a local prefix (the first three digits of a 7-digit phone number). If 7-digit dialing remained available in those area codes, a call to “988-XXXX” could be confused with dialing “988” for the Lifeline.
To prevent this conflict and ensure calls to 988 route properly, affected area codes were required to transition to 10-digit dialing for all calls. Some locations may also require dialing 1 + area code + number for certain calls.
What Crexendo Users Need To Do
- Dial 10 digits for all calls (area code + number), even for local calls.
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Update saved numbers in:
- Mobile contacts
- Desk phone directory/speed dials
- Softphone/app contact lists
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Review business dialing entries (if applicable), such as:
- Auto Attendants / dial-by-extension menus that store external numbers
- Call forwarding destinations
- Hunt group / ring group external failover numbers
Troubleshooting
- My call won’t complete: Confirm you dialed area code + number (10 digits). If your region requires it, try 1 + area code + number.
- Speed dial/forwarding fails: Edit the stored destination to include the area code.
- Some calls work, others don’t: You may be calling into (or calling from) an area code that enforces 10-digit dialing—use 10 digits consistently to avoid routing issues.
Learn More (FCC Resource)
For the official FCC guidance and additional details, visit: FCC Consumer Guide: Ten-Digit Dialing
If you need additional assistance, please contact Crexendo Support at 855-211-2255 or email us at support@crexendo.com — our team is happy to help!