10-digit dialing starts Monday in BC and Alberta

OTTAWA – Ten-digit dialing will be introduced on Monday in parts of British Columbia and Alberta to meet a growing demand for phone numbers. The 778 area code currently in use in B.C.’s Lower Mainland will be extended to all of B.C. and a second area code – 587 – will be added in Alberta. All three-digit numbers, including 211, 311, 411, 611 and 911 emergency service will not require the inclusion of an area code. A “permissive dialing” period will begin on June 23 to help callers adjust to dialing 10 digits for all local calls. During this period,...