By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Starting October 24, 2021, everyone in Wisconsin has to use ten digits to make a local phone call. This means you’ll have to dial the area code plus the seven-digit phone number. Calls dialed with only seven digits will not be connected.

All parts of the country are gradually going through this transition. The change is related to creation of a new national suicide prevention lifeline, 988. The problem is that in many areas there are seven digit numbers beginning with 988.

In Wisconsin, this change impacts area codes 262, 414, 608, and 920. People in the state’s other two area codes, 534 and 715, already must use 10-digit dialing for local calls.

During the transition to 988, Americans who need help should continue to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK) and through online chats. Veterans and Service members may reach the Veterans Crisis Line by pressing 1 after dialing, chatting online at www.veteranscrisisline.net, or texting 838255.

The image on the homepage, “Vintage Western Electric Rotary Dial Telephone, Model 302, Made In USA, Produced From 1937 – 1958” by France1978 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.