why can't I call someone in the same city with the same area code but different 3 digits after the code?

Question

the original phone number is 616-335........and calling 616-396......
the phone companies say it isn't them--any suggestions to try to figure out why this call can't be made. These are both land phones and 3 miles apart.

Answer 1

Its may be long distance, but it all has to do with the routeing of the call.

When you are dialing lets say [(616)-396-xxxx] the first number the telephone switch sees is 616 which routes the call to Michigan, it then reconizes the next set of number 396 which then routes it to Holland MI (Ameritech Michigan is the provider).
Both Prefixes are provided by the same company but opereate of different Central Offices(Telephone Switchs) or Remote Switches.

It can be set up were you can do 7 digit dialing. Although in about 10-15 years everyone will be dialing all 10 digits regardless of wether a call is long distance or not.

Answer 2

There are software "talking" problems between types of phone providers.

For example: If you have the old BELL dial tone and the person you are trying to call has the new CABLE dial tone then the CABLE needs to update their software to accept the standard receipt.

My best friend couldn't get calls from me, her son's pediatrician or her husband's work when she had Time Warner Cable digital dial tone.

She was one of the "every 11 seconds someone switches back to AT&T" after trying to get it fixed for over a month.

I don't blame her.

Answer 3

Did the phone company say if you at least had the 2nd 3 digits correct? Did the source give you the correct number?

Answer 4

there right it could still be differnt companys i would recomned getting a cell phone or using the one you have free nation wide calling

Answer 5

That is a good question. I have no idea.