10 Digit Phone Dialing for All of Connecticut on 11/14

NEW AREA CODES WILL CHANGE OUR DIALING HABITS

It's been coming for some time - and it's finally here. Both Area Codes in Connecticut are having babies in a few days.

• Area Code 203 will give birth to Area Code 475
  
• Area Code 860 will give birth to Area Code 959

The upshot of this for all of us is that we will have to dial 10 digits (area code plus the number) for every call that we make even if you are calling your next door neighbor.

We should be used to this kind of thing by now. Some of us may remember when you could call people in your own exchange with just the last 4 digits. (Did I just admit that I remember that???)

Even if 4-digit dialing goes back to your ancestors, the new Area Code syndrome has been going on since the 1970s. At first we'll be confused and annoyed, then it will just become habit.

Also remember that, just as now, you'll have to dial a "1" BEFORE the Area Code if you're calling someone outside your local calling area.