Thank you, CentralTexasHomeRebates.com, for the insider tip on Austin area code 512 availability until late 2013. What is/what will be YOUR area code in Austin?
Due to the steady migration of people, the Capitol City has been approved for an area code overlay. Included in Austin’s population boom are more people, more traffic and now, more phone numbers. An overlay is the addition of another area code (737) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (512). An overlay doesn’t require you to change your existing area code, but it does require you to dial the area code + the phone number for all calls, including local calls within the same area code.
Anyone who has a telephone number, including both landlines and cell phones, with a 512 area code is affected, as well as anyone that receives a telephone number from the 737 area code in the future. The 512 area code generally covers the greater Austin Area. These are the counties affected by the overlay.
Once the overlay is in place, in order to complete a call, anyone with a 512 or 737 area code is required to dial the area code + phone number. This means that all calls from the 512 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits must now be dialed using ten digits.
Starting June 1st, 2013, you must include the area code for all calls. After this date, if you don’t include the proper area code, your calls will not be completed and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again. Beginning July 1st, 2013, new phone lines or services may be assigned numbers using the 737 area code.
In addition to changing your dialing procedure, all services, automatic dialing equipment and other equipment programmed with a 7-digit number must be reprogrammed to a 10-digit number, which includes the proper area code. Some examples are life safety systems, fax machines, internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, speed dialers, voice mail services, etc. Don’t forget to check your business stationary and advertising materials to ensure the area code is included.
The following items will remain the same:
- Your telephone number, including current area code
- The price of a call, coverage area or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay
- You still dial three digits to reach 911
- If 211,311,411,511,611,711, & 811 are available in your community, then you will still dial these codes with just three digits
The earlier you ask your phone provider for a specific 737 number, the more likely you will be able to get it. The remaining available numbers in the 512 area code are forecast to last until late 2013.
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