Workshops set for Idaho transition to second area code

Idaho officials have announced workshops throughout the state to help telephone customers transition to a second area code and the resulting need for 10-digit dialing

Idaho officials have announced workshops throughout the state to help telephone customers transition to a second area code and the resulting need for 10-digit dialing.

A workshop will be held Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Building on the campus of North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission in a statement Wednesday said the purpose of the workshops is to explain why a second area code — 986 — has become necessary and inform customers of the deadlines to implement the second area code and begin 10-digit dialing.

“Because the commission has already made its final determination regarding the numbers relief plan and implementation deadline, these workshops will be informational in nature and not an opportunity to discuss alternatives,” said the commission’s order announcing the workshops.

The utilities commission said Idaho will run out of available numbers under its 208 code by mid-2018. Voluntary 10-digit dialing begins in November and mandatory 10-digit dialing starts in August 2017.

Idaho has been assigned a 208 code since 1947, and will get a new three-digit code next year.

Officials say the new code of 986, to be issued to new telephone numbers, will overlay existing 208 users rather than split the state.