Newfoundland and Labrador join 10-digit club ahead of new telephone area code

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – One of Canada’s last bastions of local seven-digit dialing will soon be no more.

People in Newfoundland and Labrador were told Tuesday that local 10-digit dialing — including the area code and the phone number — will begin on Aug. 17, 2018.

The Telecommunications Alliance, a group of major Canadian telecommunications companies, says the change is to prepare for the new 879 area code approved in February, which will serve the same area as the province’s long-time 709 area code.

“Most regions in Canada have already successfully transitioned to local 10-digit dialing and we are confident these changes will be seamless for residents and businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Glen Brown, the Canadian numbering administrator.

“To ensure a successful transition, we recommend that people start reprogramming their equipment for 10-digit local dialing now, as telecommunications companies are already able to support 10-digit dialed calls. By adopting 10-digit dialing early, residents and businesses will be well-prepared by August 2018.”

The new area code takes effect in November 2018.

The alliance says only a few areas of Canada do not yet have 10-digit dialing, including the Northwest Territories, Thunder Bay, Ont., and other areas in western Ontario.

New Brunswick, which will soon get a new area code, will get 10-digit dialing in 2019-20.