Calling an 814 area code? You’ll need ten digits from now on.

An overlay is the addition of another area code (582) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (814). An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code, but does require using a new dialing procedure to complete calls.

Anyone with an 814 area code telephone number will be affected. The 814 area code generally serves the central portion of Pennsylvania. The 814 area code extends in a northerly direction toward the New York State border, in a westerly direction toward the Ohio state border, and in a southerly direction toward the Maryland state border. Some of the larger cities in the 814 area code are Altoona, Erie, Johnstown, and Warren. The new 582 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 814 area code.

To complete local calls, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial area code + telephone number or 1 + area code + telephone number. This means that all calls in the 814 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to be dialed using the area code + telephone number. The same dialing procedure will also apply to telephone numbers that are assigned in the new 582 area code.

Beginning April 3, 2021, if you have an 814 area code, you must dial the area code + telephone number on all calls, including calls within the same area code. On and after this date, if you do not dial the area code + telephone number, your calls will not complete and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again, including the area code.

Beginning May 1, 2021, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the new 582 area code. If you have a 582 area code, you must dial the area code + telephone number or the call will not complete.

In addition to dialing the area code + telephone number for all local calls, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial a 7-digit number will need to be reprogrammed to include the area code. Some examples are life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services and similar functions, etc. You may also want to check your websites, personal and business stationery and checks, advertising materials, personal and pet ID tags and other such items to ensure the area code is included.

• Your telephone number, including 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 digits dialed.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811.

If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please access Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission at www.puc.pa.gov for more information.