If you are a member of the media, please email ngarcia@azcc.gov or call (602) 542-0728.
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) removed the boundary restrictions between the (480), (602), and (623) area codes on November 9, 2021. Now, these three area codes can cover all of Phoenix, ensuring everyone in the region can obtain a phone number from their preferred service provider.
On August 12, 2023, customers in the (602) or (623) area codes, must use 10 digits (area code) + seven-digit number for every call made, even those within their same area code. Customers in the (480) area code already made this shift due to a new '988' shortcut for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Starting on September 12, 2023, any new or extra phone lines may be assigned any of the (480), (602), and (623) area codes.
Remember to update the area code on things like a website, stationery, checks, and ID tags.
Please make sure to update any safety and security systems that need 10-digit dialing, such as medical alert devices or security systems. This should be done before August 11, 2023, to avoid any service disruptions. Items that might need updating can include:
Rest assured, phone numbers and area codes won't change. Neither will the cost, coverage, or other aspects of calls. Local calls remain local, regardless of how many digits are dialed. Customers will still need to dial 1+ area code + number for long-distance calls and use the same prefix for calls from multi-line phone systems. Emergency and special service numbers like 711, 911, and 988, along with community service numbers like 211, 311, 411, etc., still require only three digits.
Arizona is joining states like California and Texas in using this type of overlay, a solution used over 50 times in the past decade across the U.S. to meet the growing need for more phone numbers.
For more information, please visit azcc.gov/utilities/telephone/all-about-area-codes or reach out to your local telephone service provider.
