WINNIPEG – Residents of Manitoba are encouraged to begin using 10-digit dialing for all wireline and wireless calls starting December 1st, in preparation for the mandatory switch over which begins on July 29, 2012.
The Telecommunications Alliance, whose members in Manitoba include MTS, Rogers, Telus, Bell and Westman Communications Group, said Tuesday that the province’s telecommunications service providers will all be able to support 10-digit dialed calls starting early next month.
"10-digit local dialing and the addition of a new area code are forward-looking measures that will help the entire communications industry meet the continually growing demand for new services. A number of cities in Canada have already successfully implemented these measures and we are doing everything we can to ensure these changes will be seamless for businesses and residential customers in Manitoba," said Telecommunications Alliance spokesperson Glenn Pilley, in a statement. "To ensure a successful transition, we recommend that people start reprogramming their equipment to comply with 10-digit local dialing as of December 1, 2011."
The introduction of 10-digit local dialing paves the way for the addition of the new area code 431 in November 2012 as the 204 area code reaches capacity.
