disgusted customer

[ronusmc]

The "have to use an area code all the time" is just another broken promise to us poor suckers who pay all the bills.

When they created another area code here in Houston, the promise was "you'll NEVER have to use an area code for in area (i..e. in the same area code) calls.

This ranks up there with "The American citizen drawing social security will NEVER have to pay Income tax on that retirement. Quote FDR) or "This goverment will be the most transparent government ever. Quote The current President".

People in government and big business have no integrity any more. Their word means nothing.

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Geek]

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ronusmc wrote:

The "have to use an area code all the time" is just another broken promise to us poor suckers who pay all the bills.

When they created another area code here in Houston, the promise was "you'll NEVER have to use an area code for in area (i..e. in the same area code) calls.

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I live in Houston, and that promise was never made as far as I know.

The fact is that there are just too many phone numbers that need to be handed out.  A 7-digit phone number can only represent around 8 million numbers.  Business generally have dozens of numbers they use, most people have one at home, one for the cell, and with families at least 2 or 3 cell numbers.  With a population of almost 6 million in the greater Houston metro area, a 7-digit number won't cover everyone.

The phone system can't know who you're wanting to call by osmosis.  10 digits is simply a requirement now from the number of phones out there.

[mpmartin_1]

We've had 10 digit dialing in the Atlanta metro area for many years.  We adapted and life is pretty good here.

[skeeterintexas]

We've been dialing 10 digits in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area for years and the world as we know it has not come crashing down around us.

Just a heads up.....

[jfw ACE - Czar]

Same here in Chicago area, 10 digits have been around for years. There are so many area codes between the city and suburbs it makes my head spin.

Interesting, I just got this via email a few minutes ago.

Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing Coming October 30

Dear Valued AT&T U-verse® member,

Effective October 30, 2010, you will be required to dial the appropriate area code plus the seven-digit number to complete all outgoing calls within your area.  As always, your calls to numbers outside of your area code region will continue to require the appropriate area code.  Special services that use three-digit numbers, such as 911 and 411, remain unchanged. Other three-digit numbers currently available, such as 611, 711 or 811, will also remain unchanged.

You will not have to change telephone numbers; only the way you dial within your area code region will change.  To help facilitate this dialing change, you should start including the area code with the seven-digit number now for all outgoing calls within your area so it will be second nature to you by the time it is required on October 30, 2010.

Your AT&T U-verse Voice rates will not be affected by this change.

It’s very important that you update all stored telephone numbers, including those on your online U-verse account, to include the area code for services such as call forwarding, call screening, and call blocking.

Thank you for being a valued AT&T U-verse member!

Sincerely,

Your AT&T U-verse team

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

Believe it's a huge government conspiracy to have you press so many phone number buttons it will wear your fingerprints off so when the gov't decides to "take you out" nobody will be able to ID you.

BTW, don't most modern phones/systems have a phone directory where you just push a button for the name/company you want to call and it dials itself? Also many now have caller ID where you merely hit a button to call the caller back. Whether it's 7 digits, or 10 digits, the days of Princess phones are over.

PS. I still have a hardline Princess phone I use only during power outages. It works great but of course have to dial a 10 digit toll free number to the power company. Well worth it if I want electricity.

[oufanindallas]

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ronusmc wrote:

The "have to use an area code all the time" is just another broken promise to us poor suckers who pay all the bills.

When they created another area code here in Houston, the promise was "you'll NEVER have to use an area code for in area (i..e. in the same area code) calls.

This ranks up there with "The American citizen drawing social security will NEVER have to pay Income tax on that retirement. Quote FDR) or "This goverment will be the most transparent government ever. Quote The current President".

People in government and big business have no integrity any more. Their word means nothing.

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If all your unhappy about is having to dial an extra 3 digits then I'd say you have a pretty good life.  There are many cities that have had multiple area codes for years and it doesn't make that big of a difference.