Oklahomans with 405 area codes now need to include that code while dialing other local numbers.
As of Saturday, April 24, mandatory 10-digit dialing has begun for customers of the 405 area code, which includes portions of Blaine County, including Geary. According to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the change is necessary for the state to add a new area code to the area currently served only by 405.
The new code, 572, is needed to ensure there are enough phone numbers for everyone in the area. It will supplement the current 405 code, but residents who already have 405 phone numbers won’t need to change theirs.
The boundaries of the 405/572 code area also will not change, the commission says.
“Residents and businesses should make an inventory of all devices that may use telephone numbers,” it said in press release, “including such things as security systems, office telecommunication systems, certain inventory systems, etc., and make sure the systems/devices are set up for 10-digit dialing for local 405 area code calls.”
The 405 area is the second in Oklahoma to add a supplemental code to keep up with population growth. In 2011, the 539 area code was added to the area previously only served by 918 numbers in northeast Oklahoma.
The 580 code continues to be the only one used in western and southern Oklahoma, including in Watonga.
The 572 area code will be officially added on May 24.