There is a New Area Code in Town -- 636/314 Area Code Split
Beginning Saturday, May 22 a very important local change took place--introduction of the new "636 " area code. WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY'S AREA CODE DOES NOT CHANGE . 636 is the new area code that primarily serves extreme southwest St. Louis County and St. Charles County. This information is being provided now to facilitate those who call to and from these areas as part of your routine business. It is important to find out if of the numbers involved require reprogramming of stored Fax numbers, modem numbers, auto dial keys, and speed call lists, in order to be prepared for February 26, 2000 when mandatory dialing goes into place. Until then, dialing can be completed in both the way we have been used to, as well as the manner that will be required after permissive dialing ends.
This change is part of a plan from the telecommunications industry in concert with an order from the Missouri Public Service Commission to meet the increasing demand for telephone numbers. The addition of the new area code means changes in how local telephone calls are placed between the "314 " and "636 " area code area.
Here are some key points about the area code split:
- There is no change in how you dial local calls within the same area code.
- Calls from the University to the 636 area code that were local within the 314 area code (no charge) will remain local (no charge), but will require 9+636+xxx-xxxx, and conversely, calls from those numbers will be required to dial 314+935+xxxx to reach the University.
- Calls from the University to the 636 area codes that were previously long distance calls in the 314 area code will remain long distance calls, but will require 9+1+636+xxx-xxxx, and conversely, calls from those numbers will be required to dial 1+314+935+xxxx to reach the University.
You can start using 9 + 10 digits May 22, 1999, for local calls and MUST use 9 + 10 digits beginning February 26, 2000, for calls between the University and the "636" area code. You will not pay long-distance charges when dialing 9 + 10 digits unless you dial 9-1- before the area code when making these local calls. Directory Assistance and 9-911 dialing procedures are not affected by this area code change.
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IF YOU DIAL 9+1+(314 OR 636)+number AND THE CALL IS LOCAL, THE SYSTEM WILL PROMPT YOU FOR AN AUTHORIZATION CODE, AND YOU WILL BE BILLED LONG DISTANCE CHARGES. IF IN DOUBT AS TO WHETHER A NUMBER IS LOCAL OR LONG DISTANCE, TRY 9+314 OR 636+number FIRST, AND THE SYSTEM WILL ALERT YOU IF IT IS LONG DISTANCE, AND A 1 IS REQUIRED.*******************************************************************************************************************
Here are some key dates about the area code split:
May 22, 1999 -- permissive start date
February 26, 2000 -- permissive end/mandatory start with intercept
March 25, 2000 -- end of intercept
During the permissive time frame (May 22, 1999 through February 25, 2000), callers can continue to place 9 + 7 digits calls across the 314/636 boundary as they do today and calls will complete. However callers are encouraged to dial 9 + 10 digits beginning May 22, 1999. Calls will complete with either the 314 or 636 area code during this permissive period.
Between February 26, 2000 and March 25, 2000, calls originating in 314 and terminating in 636 placed by dialing 9 + 7 digits or 10 digits with incorrect area code will receive a recording stating, "The area code for the number you dialed is 636. Please hang up and re-dial the area code plus the 7 digit number you wish to call." After March 25, 2000, calls using an incorrect area code or no area code will hear a recording that the number dialed is not in service or they may reach the wrong number if the exchange has been reassigned.
Here you will find a list of prefixes that will keep the 314 area code and the prefixes that will change to the new 636 area code. Please make your user community aware of these changes. Some action items might be: reprogram auto dial keys on your telephone, speed call lists, and fax machines. Thank you for your assistance in distributing this information and feel free to contact our office at 5-5005 ,5-5004, or 5-4599 if you have any questions.