Area Code Changes Don't Have to be Painful
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WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT:  

Click on this link to contact the California Public Utilities Commission,
and let them know if you like what our technologies could do for you.

The Commission needs to hear that the public wants this consumer-friendly option before they will take action on it.

 
 
 

What we offer:

Compared to traditional overlays, our technologies offer less disruption, less inconvenience, and less expense for consumers and businesses.  Our Area Code Select technology reduces the negative effects associated with area code overlays, by providing a simple way to complete calls that are accidentally dialed with 7-digits.

So, what's the problem?

Area code changes are expensive and inconvenient for consumers and businesses, because established dialing patterns are disrupted.

With area code splits, there is a 50/50 chance of getting stuck with the new area code, which means you have to notify the world that you have a new phone number.  Splits also require affected businesses to print new stationery, business cards and signage.  And because the borders of the original area code have changed, many calls that used to be dialable with just 7-digits will now require 1+10-digits - if the call is made across the new area code split line.

With traditional overlays, everyone gets to keep their existing phone numbers, however there is a requirement that all calls must be dialed with the full 1+10-digit telephone number.  If you forget and dial a 7-digit number by mistake, you will be instructed to "hang up and redial using 1 + the area code + the 7-digit telephone number".  This can be quite frustrating, since by the time you have successfully completed the call, you will have dialed 18 digits!

Both area code splits and overlays force telephone customers to change their established patterns of dialing, and those changes can be frustrating, inconvenient, and expensive.

How our technologies help:

By adding some new features to traditional overlays, our technologies help maintain the look and feel of the established dialing patterns, even after a new area code is added.

With our latest technology, Area Code Select for Overlays, if you dial a 7-digit number by mistake, you won't have to hang up and redial.  Instead you will be instructed to complete your call by dialing a single extra digit.

 
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