Reminder: 10-digit dialing begins October 24 

Customers in the 912 and 478 area codes must start dialing the area code as well as the seven-digit phone number to complete local calls starting October 24. 

912 and 478 (Macon and central Georgia, previously part of 912) are among 82 area codes nationwide making room for the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which begins operation in July 2022. Because the 912 and 478 area codes use 988 for the first three numbers of some seven-digit phone numbers, the Federal Communications Commission ordered 10-digit dialing. Otherwise, phones won’t recognize when someone is trying to call the Suicide Hotline.

Residents are advised to reprogram medical alert devices, security, and other systems to reflect the mandatory change.