Area Code frustration!!!! (Kinda Long, sorry.....)?

Question

Hey there,
Let me start by telling you that I work for a national company and part of my job is to telephone buisnesses in my city and the surrounding towns. For the most part, it's pretty easy, although there are two seperate issues that I'm having to deal with when it comes to Telephone numbers, specifically Area Codes.

Question #1, WHY do I have to dial the area code for a telephone number THAT'S IN THE SAME AREA CODE AS ME??!?!?!?! This makes no sense. I'm 309, they are 309, why do I have to dial it at all?

Question #2, and this is the one that really makes me mad. Why will the phone company not process a call when I use the area code for a local call? Sometimes when I use an area code, I get a recording that says "We're sorry, but it is not necessary to use the area code with this number." OK, Big Deal, it's not necessary, why can't you just process the call, instead of making me hang up and dial again?

I think the phone company is trying to make me mad.

Answer 1

Thats weird, I dont have to do that in my area code..

Answer 2

Take New Mexico for instance, the entire state's area code is 505 except a few new area codes have been added in the alburqurque area. So even though its the same area code if i call the other side of the state it is long distance and requires all 10 digits.

As far as local call the telephone switch should be set up to reconize that number is a local telephone number and automatically drop the area code and connect the call. Some ones being to lazy to take the time to set up the set up the way a call is routed in the telephone switch.

Wont matter in to much longer I would say in about 5-10 years we will be dialing all 10 digits for all phone calls, regardless of local or long distance

Answer 3

The weird thing is to have both things together.

It can be logical to ALWAYS require the area code, because for example [phone] would result in some trouble if you dial only 309-1234: it can be the beginning of for instance [phone] ? And asking people never to dial the area code means that they MUST know THEIR area code, which is often not true for travelling people... So it's the easiest rule to apply (you just dial the damn number, wherever you are), even if it's a bit longer.

It can be logical to NEVER dial the area code, with its advantages and drawbacks (+: shorter number and always the same, -: you must know your calling area and you must dial a different number if you move). Ex: you might have to dial the area code from your home, but not from your office if they are in different area...

I live in France, we had to change the system in the 90's, before we would never dial the area code, after we had to dial it always. Phone numbers changed from 6 to 10 digits, it was a little annoying but we got used to that, the important point is that the system is consistent...

But asking to dial the area code depending on THE COUNTY is completely weird and the sign of a very old fashioned conception of phone service:

1) YOU must know if your call is local or not... but it's the company's job, not yours!

2) the whole concept of "local" calls (to apply different rates) is today completely irrelevant. Costs of calls are very small, and there is almost no cost difference (for the phone company) between a local call, a national call, and even an international call to some countries. It's so cheap that for example my phone calls (local, national to France, international to US, to Germany, etc.) are all included in my monthly fixed fee (in other words, the calls are not charged by the company). Some companies provide this "unlimited free call" service as an option for about 10 euros ($12) a month. So who cares if the call is local ???

You are right. Your phone company wants to make you mad. Or they are very stupid.

Answer 4

Ok, I think a solution to question 1 is........you will have to dial the area code if you are calling OUTSIDE your county, even tho your inside your area code. It is concidered local long distance.
#2.....Calls INSIDE your county do not require you to use the area code....& yes, the phone co's. can be irritating, to say the least, lol.
You can refer to your phone book for proper instructions on making your calls.
I really have no clue as to why they won't just process the calls either.

Answer 5

Question #1 I don't know
Question #2 I don't know
Question #3 I don't know