OTTAWA-GATINEAU – Effective October 20, 2012, 10-digit local dialing will be required for all local calls made in Manitoba, the CRTC said today. As well, a new area code, 431, will be introduced in the province, effective November 3, 2012.
The transition to 10-digit dialing will begin on July 29, 2012, and will be gradually introduced over the following weeks. It will become mandatory by October 20, 2012.
At the same time, in order to prevent running out of telephone numbers in the “glorious and free” province, the CRTC is introducing a new area code, 431 as of November 3, 2012. This means that customers seeking new telephone numbers could be given a number starting with area code 431. Existing customers will keep their current area code and phone numbers.
These measures are being implemented in response to the Canadian Numbering Administrator’s notification that the region is expected to run out of telephone numbers by May 2013.
The CRTC’s decision also addresses the neighbouring communities of Creighton, Saskatchewan and Flin Flon, Manitoba. Residents of these two communities can make local calls to one another without incurring long-distance charges.
After October 20, 2012, residents of Flin Flon will be required to dial 10 digits for all calls, including those to Creighton. Residents of Creighton, on the other hand, will continue to make calls as per usual since Saskatchewan continues to have 7-digit local dialing.
