Galaxynet :: 564 Area Code

On February 5, 2000, a new 564 area code was overlaid on the existing 360 area code in western Washington State. Washington is running out of usable telephone number prefixes in the 360 area code. The need for a new area code is due to drastic growth in telephone number requests for pagers, fax machines, cellular phones, and additional lines for Internet access.

The region served by the 360 area code has a new 564 area code overlaid on the existing 360 area code. Telephone numbers using the 564 area code will only be assigned after mandatory starts. Ten-digit dialing is permissible for all local calls within the geographic area served by the 360/564 area codes, as indicated in the map. Washington’s 206, 253, 425, and 509 area codes will not change. Mandatory ten-digit dialing was to begin July 29, 2000 but that deadline has been suspended indefinitely. If you're a GTE customer, please call 1-800-483-4100 for questions and further information. USWest customers should call 1-800-244-1111.

How will this change affect me?

The introduction of area code 564 and ten-digit dialing will not affect your local calling area (the geographic region for local calls). Ten-digit dialing will only affect telephone customers within the 360/564 area codes. When the overlay becomes mandatory, all callers within the 360/564 area codes will need to dial ten-digits when calling within the 360/564 area. It makes no difference whether your call is to the same area code. Calls from 360 to 564, 564 to 360, 360 to 360, or 564 to 564 will require ten-digit dialing. Do not dial a "1" or "0" before the area code. Dialing a "1" is needed when placing a long-distance call; dialing an "0" indicates the need for operator assistance. This will affect the way you dial Galaxynet to connect to the Internet if you live in the 360/564 area code. Please check back here for instructions on configuring your Dial-up Networking to dial the 10 digits necessary to connect to Galaxynet.

What if I forget to dial 10 digits for local calls?

Since the overlay has been suspended indefinitely, if you forget to dial 10 digits, you call will still go through. The phone company calls this a "permissive dialing" period. During this period, calls made with 10- or 7-digit dialing will be connected as normal. Whenever they make 10-digit dialing mandatory, you will then be forced to dial ten digits (the area code and 7-digit phone number) when placing a local call. This is called "mandatory dialing." Remember, a local call will still remain a local call (no additional costs to you), you'll just have to push more buttons.

What can I do to prepare?

and the overlay has been suspended indefinitely, you should think about reprogramming the local numbers in your auto-dialing telphone equipment to accommodate the new 10-digit dialing when it does become mandatory. This includes, cordless phones, office phones, cell phones, computer modems, fax machines, and even speed-dialing services from the local telephone company. Update your stationery, checks, and other pre-printed items, such as business cards, menus, and brochures. Also, inform everyone in your house of the new 10-digit dialing method as soon as possible, especially children, disabled persons, and elderly citezens. Remember, the permissive period is in effect. You may dial seven or ten digits for local calls. But, whenever 10-digit dialing becomes mandatory, you'll be ahead of the game if you take steps now.