To accommodate the growing need for telephone numbers, the 424 area code will be added to the area served by 310. The new 424 area code will serve customers in the same geographic region as the current 310 area code, which includes the Westside and South Bay area of Los Angeles County and a small portion of Ventura County. This is known as an area code overlay.

What is an area code overlay?

• An overlay is the addition of another area code (424) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (310). An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code.

What will be the new dialing procecdure?

• To complete calls from a phone, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial 1 + area code + telephone number. This means that all calls in the 310 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to be dialed using 1 + area code + telephone number.

When will the change begin?

• As of December 31, 2005, you can use the new dialing procedure whenever you place a call from the 310 area code. If you forget and use the old dialing procedure of dialing just seven digits, your call will still be completed.
  
• Beginning July 26, 2006, you must use the new dialing procedure for all calls. After this date, if you o no use a new dialing procedure, your call will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.
  
• Beginning August 26, 2006, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the 424 area code.

What do business customers need to do?

• In addition to changing your dialing procedure, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed with a seven-digit number will need to be reprogrammed to use the new dialing procedure.
  
• Some examples are life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions.
  
• You may also want to check your business stationery and advertising materials to ensure the area code is included. Be sure to complete the programming and dialing changes prior to July 26, 2006.

What is the test number for the 424 area code?

• A special test number was established on November 30, 2005, to enable business customers to verify that their equipment can complete calls to the new area code. This special number, (424) 424-0424, will remain active through September 26, 2006.

What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change.
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
• What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, and 711.

If you have any questions regarding information provided in this letter, please call an AT&T Service Representative at 1-800-750-2355 or visit their website www.sbc.com/areacodes.