Get ready to dial extra digits when making local phone calls, as a new area code will soon be integrated with the existing code that serves Seminole County.

To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, new telephone lines or services in central Oklahoma may be assigned a number with the “572” area code beginning May 24.

The new area code will be an “overlay” to the existing 405 code, which means customers will not be required to change their current area code.

The change comes with a little extra work for some callers, however, as a new dialing procedure will be implemented this spring.

Effective April 24, callers will be required to dial “1” plus the full 10-digit phone number (ex: 1-405-555-1234), even when making local calls. On and after that date, if the new dialing procedure is not followed, calls will not be completed. A recording will instruct the caller to hang up and dial again, using the area code.

The same dialing procedure will apply to telephone numbers assigned to the new 572 area code.

All equipment such as speed dialers located in the 405 area code and programmed to dial only seven digits must be updated or reprogrammed to dial ten digits (area code + telephone) for all local calls.

What will remain the same?

Your telephone number, including the 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 how many digits are dialed.

For emergency services, you will still be able to dial just three digits to reach 911.

If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 are currently available in your community, these calls may still be dialed using just the three digits.

Customers with questions regarding the dialing procedure change should contact their local service provider, or the Oklahoma Corporation Commission/Public Utility Division Consumer Services Department (open MondayFriday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) at 405-521-2331.