Dialing 10 digits to be standard June 1
Starting June 1, 10-digit dialing will be required for outside local calls made from UW telephones. This means you must dial the area code plus the number (10 digits) when making local calls. At that time, dialing only seven digits will no longer work for local calls made from UW campus phones. This change does not affect UW Medical Center (598) users. Five-digit dialing for UW phone numbers also remains unaffected.
Dialing the area code plus the number from UW phones is in preparation for Western Washington’s change to 10-digit local dialing and the introduction of the new area code 564 later this year.
UW Communications Technology has provided the following to answer common questions about the change:
Q: Will this affect calls that I make to campus telephone numbers?
A: You may continue to dial the last five digits of UW phone numbers when calling from a campus telephone (this is not available from UWMC).
Q: How will calls be forwarded?
A: If you use the call forwarding feature, be sure to enter 9 plus 10 digits if you are forwarding to an outside number such as a cell phone or home phone.
Q: What about our other communications equipment?
A: Update any preprogrammed numbers to use 9 plus 10 digits now. Check: autodial buttons, speed calling lists, Fax machines, modems, alarm equipment, etc. Refer to “Phone Features and Their Use” on the Communication Technologies Web site, http://www.washington.edu/admin/comtech/cts.index.html for instructions about reprogramming phone buttons.
Q: Are emergency calls handled differently?
A: Emergency calls to 9-911 do not change.
Q: Is toll-free calling affected?
A: Local calls dialed with 10 digits are still toll free. In addition, Regional Calling Service lets you dial numbers in area codes 206, 253, and 425 toll free from any UW campus phone. Just dial 9 plus 10 digits.
Q: Is this a permanent change?
A: Area codes are no longer optional. Use dashes or periods to show your unique phone number in print (such as 206-543-2100). Always publish and speak your number with 10 digits (area code plus number).
Q: Where can I get more information?
A: Contact Communication Technologies at comtech@cac.washington.edu, call 206-543-0133, or look on the Web at http://www.washington.edu/admin/comtech.