Changes to Dialing in Manitoba

Print this Article | Send to Colleague

All telecommunications equipment and services that use the existing 7-digit dialing format must be reprogrammed with the new 10-digit dialing format (current area code 204 + 7-digit telephone number) to permit the completion of local calls.
Important note: Only new telephone numbers requested after the new area code has been introduced may be assigned the new 431 area code. Assignment of the new area code will be entirely dependent on the demand for telephone numbers within an exchange.

What's Not Changing?
- Existing telephone numbers will not change; they will keep their current 204 area code.
- Local calling areas will remain the same.
- The 9-1-1 Emergency, 4-1-1 Directory Assistance, 6-1-1 Repair, and 3-1-1 City of Winnipeg Information Call Centre numbers will remain 3-digit dial numbers. You will not need to dial the area code to reach these 3-digit numbers.

10-Digit Dialing Checklist for Business Customers
Starting December 1, 2011: 
 
Reprogram your telephone equipment and use 10-digit local dialing 
Add the existing 204 area code to all programmed numbers in your telecommunications equipment and services including, but not limited to:

- Telecommunication:
- Alarms and security systems
- Automatic dialing systems, speed dialers, and lists
- Telephone options and functions (such as call forwarding, call blocking, etc.)
- PBX equipment
- Fax machines
- Wireless phones and other wireless devices 
- Modem and Internet dialers (Visit How Does 10 Digit Dialing affect Internet Customers for more information)
- Paging dispatch boards and software
- Voicemail systems
- Equipment for the hearing impaired
- Alarm and security systems*

Other:
- Databases (e.g.: telemarketing, client and patient lists, etc.)
- IT systems and applications
- Communicate your 10-digit numbers!
- Make sure to include your 10-digit phone number on all your correspondence and promotional tools.
- Advertisements
- Brochures and catalogues
- Stationery, business cards, invoices, and cheques
- Internal business directories
- Local telephone directories
- Vehicles and signage
- Websites and intranet
- Any other materials that contain your telephone numbers
- Remember to always specify your area code whenever you give out your telephone, wireless phone, pager or other number to:
- employees;
- clients;
- suppliers;
- affiliate companies;
- People who use a foreign exchange line to call you toll-free.

* Many security systems dial a preprogrammed number in case of emergency. In some cases, the number includes the area code while in others, it does not. With the introduction of 10-digit local dialing, it is possible that some systems may fail to connect emergency calls to the security company. It is therefore critical that you contact your alarm monitoring company to update these systems to ensure continued operation.

How Does 10-Digit Dialing affect Internet Customers?

10-digit local dialing will affect how you use your dial-up Internet service.
To ensure that your MTS dial-up connections continue to operate properly, MTS customers must configure their dial-up settings to include the area code. For assistance making this update, follow the dial-up networking instructions for your operating system, or visit Set up and Connecting to the Internet

Please note these key dates:
- December 1, 2011: You can go ahead make the changes to your MTS dial-up settings.
- July 29, 2012: Introduction of 10-digit dialing for all locals calls in Manitoba. Your MTS Internet service settings must be updated by this date.
- November 3, 2012: Gradual introduction of area code 431 throughout Manitoba.

For more information, please visit 10-Digit Dialing or the Telecommunications Alliance website at www.dial10.ca 

10-Digit Dialing Checklist for Residential Customers

Starting December 1, 2011:
- Reprogram your telephone equipment and use 10-digit dialing for local calls.
- Add the existing 204 area code to all programmed numbers in your telecommunications equipment, including, but not limited to:
- Speed-dial lists
- Telephone options and functions (such as call forwarding, call blocking, etc.)
- Fax machines
- Equipment for the hearing impaired
- Wireless phones and other wireless devices
- Alarm and security systems*
- Communicate your 10-digit numbers
- Make sure to include your 10-digit phone number on your personal cheques, stationery, insurance policy, etc.
- Remember to always specify your area code whenever you give out your telephone, wireless phone, pager or other numbers.

* Many security systems dial a preprogrammed number in case of emergency. In some cases, the number includes the area code while in others, it does not. With the introduction of 10-digit local dialing, it is possible that some systems may fail to connect emergency calls to the security company. It is therefore critical that you contact your alarm monitoring company to update these systems to ensure continued operation.