West Virginians Urged to Prepare for New Area Code
West Virginians Urged to Prepare for New Area Code Save Email Print
Posted: 8:18 AM Dec 31, 2008
 Last Updated: 8:18 AM Dec 31, 2008
 Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
44 comments
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Verizon is urging West Virginians to prepare for a new area code.

The telephone company says residents and businesses should reprogram fax machines, computer modems, and other equipment and services to dial the area code and seven-digit phone number before Feb. 28. That's when the state's new 681 area code goes into service and all calls will require 10 digits.

Verizon says West Virginians also should start practicing 10-digit dialing.
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Posted by: Sheriff Andy on Jan 3, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Vera. Vera this is Andy can you connect me with Barney if he isnt home connect me to Aunt Bee. Thank you Vera.
Posted by: osu grad on Jan 2, 2009 at 03:29 PM
When did WV get phones??
Posted by: Arc on Jan 2, 2009 at 12:04 PM
It WAS broke, or will be. The state is running out of numbers. That's the reason for the change. Many, many decades ago, if you were calling a number within the same exchange (e.g. 529) you only had to dial the final four digits. That changed at some point. Amazingly, people survived and learned how to dial 7 digits. And so they will again. Let's save our anger for things that really matter...the situation in the mid-east, Iraq, Afghanistan, the economy, inept politicians, the drugs in our area. That's what REALLY matters; not something like an area code.
Posted by: jerry reede on Jan 2, 2009 at 11:31 AM
this is a redneck state for crying out loud were just poor hillbillies, 304 has always been a tradition this redneck stae even voted against the anti christ obama i say keep 304 and old time tradition.
Posted by: Proud to be WV on Jan 2, 2009 at 09:46 AM
Well Leah, If you have lived in 5 states and think that WV is God forsaken, move on to your next state and leave us here in God's country alone.By the way, GREAT JOB WSAZ!!
Posted by: Donna on Jan 1, 2009 at 04:42 PM
I agree, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! And yes, for the elderly its gonna be hard. My mom is 80 years young, and why?
Posted by: Clbg on Jan 1, 2009 at 04:34 PM
WV was initially going to divide the state, with a geographic portion continuing to use 304 and the northern part of the state would be assigned the new 681 area code. But residents and mostly business owners who would be using 681 raised a hue and cry and said it would be a financial hardship to reprint business cards, checks, letterhead, etc., so the decision was made to use the overlay system instead. I thought at the time, wait until everyone realizes they need to use area codes for all their calls; there will be an uproar then. And so there is. I would like to know as well, however, if we need to dial 1 plus the number for all calls including local.
Posted by: TO P on Jan 1, 2009 at 03:55 PM
Get over yourself. It CAN be very difficult for the handicapped, or for our children who are relatively young, to have to add on more numbers now.. No I don't mind it at all, but it's going to suck for some others who don't adapt to changes very well. What if your neighbor was your mother, it was 3 am, she needed you NOW because of something, and she couldn't remember to dial the extra numbers being just woken up and she's scared .. yeah not a nice scenario.. I Hate this for the older people and the really young.
Posted by: To Leah on Jan 1, 2009 at 01:37 PM
I have lived in several states as well....and guess what....WE DID HAVE TO DIAL ALL TEN DIGITS.
Posted by: Ray on Jan 1, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Keep a note pad next to your phone or just start today saying, "I will dial 10 numbers before I can hear anything on this phone starting in Feb. (smile)
Posted by: chris on Jan 1, 2009 at 09:10 AM
the reason wv is doing the overlay system is cuz all the dumb rednecks will keep forgetting their new number if wv uses the geographical system.
Posted by: jeff on Jan 1, 2009 at 07:42 AM
If the PSC cared what the citizens thought they would have seen that the majority was for splitting the state and changing some numbers. Big buisness has more money than average joe so who do you think they listen to?
Posted by: TMW on Jan 1, 2009 at 07:18 AM
OH gosh people!! Why cry over something thats going to take honestly a couple of seconds to do!! These days people make big deals out of the littlest things..GUESS ya aint got anything better to do!! by the way GREAT JOB WSAZ ;)
Posted by: P on Jan 1, 2009 at 01:59 AM
Oh for crying out loud, to all you people moaning about having to dial 4 extra digits. Get over it, it isn't gonna kill you to dial 4 extra digits; before you know it, you'll be used to it. Up here in NW Ohio we've had 10 digit dialing with our overlay area code for years, and isn't any big deal. We're talking 4 extra digits to dial, not a new tax. If you think you'll have trouble get a piece of paper and write a reminder. In fact start practicing now, by the time your forced to switch you'll be used to it. You all had your chance to complain during the public comment period, but probably didn't think anything of it or bother paying attention to it when it was in the paper or on WSAZ at the time.
Posted by: Debbie on Jan 1, 2009 at 12:31 AM
I agree, it will be difficult for some elderly to remember, especially those with any type of dementia. My mom has trouble remembering family phone numbers and dials wrong numbers all the time. However, this is something we will have need to adjust to. We wouldn't need to do it, other than for the simple fact...it is necessary.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 31, 2008 at 10:20 PM
what does being elderly have to do with it?being elderly doesnt mean youre not capable of learning a new dialing routine.
Posted by: To Amazed on Dec 31, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Yes it is, too much for some people to handle. I, myself, have no problem with this since I am fairly young. It is the elderly population that will have a hard time with it. Amazed....think about the elderly people and not yourself!
Posted by: Daniel on Dec 31, 2008 at 06:44 PM
I live in Pittsburgh and we have had to dial 10 digits for years. You get used to it. And the elderly really do not have a problem with it either. Just takes a little getting used to.
Posted by: C on Dec 31, 2008 at 04:46 PM
OK after reading all these comments I just have to say. Yes it might be a problem to dial 3 extra numbers when calling your neighbor but if they did decide to split just like everyone else whats then you would be on here complaining about learning a new number. How many times do you call your neighbors in a year and just program it into your phone and push one button to call. I just want to know if we have to push "1" before the area code if it is not long distances.
Posted by: lenoris coen on Dec 31, 2008 at 03:53 PM
i think it terrible for us eldery folks. at our age to haft to go thru this to call our next door, stupid. thank u lenoris coen
Posted by: jan on Dec 31, 2008 at 03:42 PM
why fix something thats not broke leave the area code alone.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 31, 2008 at 03:26 PM
a people i think it's just 681 no. then your no. u dial & that would add up to 10 no.'s even if it's stupid unless it's out of WV then ur in troubles & i do believe there well be more things to change before it's over with & i think WSAZ is doing a great job at what they do & i don't think any one should blame them they r just doing their jobs.
Posted by: Ohio neighbor on Dec 31, 2008 at 02:55 PM
TO PLEASE: if you think West Virginia is a screwed up bunch of hicks, why don't you go back where you came from. Obviously you have a job or some other reason to be in W.Va., so don't complain. TO: LEAH: West Virginia is not God forsaken. If you drive through it you will see it is a beautiful place that only God could have created. The hills and valleys are breathtaking and the people who are originally from W.Va. are very genuine and would do anything for you as well as a lot of people who weren't raised there. There are a few Leah's & Please's there too, just like any state. It's a pity you both are so lazy you don't think you can push 3 extra numbers on your phone, but you can complain and bash a state who has obvious advantages or you would have taken your attitudes and left by now. By the way WSAZ is the best station around. Much better coverage than the others.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 31, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Yes, there will be two area codes. Anyone with an existing 304 number will keep it. Any new numbers will have the new area code. But ALL numbers will have to use the area code to dial. If my neighbor has a 304 number and so do I, I still have to dial 304 to reach them. I agree that this incredibly stupid and a huge inconvenience and wish that they would do the dividing of the state like most normal places do.
Posted by: Discouraged on Dec 31, 2008 at 02:42 PM
I understand that our state needed a new area code. Other states have done this with a simpe division of the state. One portion gets the new area code and the other portion gets to keep the old area code. Simple, right? What I don't understand is: why on earth are we going to be using this stupid overlay system instead of something that might actually make sense? When we are asked for our opinions did anybody besides me reply? Do the opinions of the big businesses count for more than the average citizen (because I understand they didn't want to make any changes). Looks like we are all stuck with this miserable system now.
Posted by: Amazed on Dec 31, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Why are people freaking out? It's simply dialing 3 extra numbers...sadly and obviously it's too much for some to handle.
Posted by: K on Dec 31, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Why are people making such a big deal over this?
Posted by: wow on Dec 31, 2008 at 12:39 PM
I bet Larry doesnt even know 400 people. Chill out WV, its a new area code, not the end of the world. WV is the only state without more than one area code.
Posted by: Bubba on Dec 31, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Most of these comments are stupid. Are these people so ignorant that they actually believe somebody just decided to put all of the citizens of West Virginia through this because somebody wants a new area code? WE ARE RUNNING OUR OF PHONE NUMBERS! The part I don't understand is; Why the phone company could not just divide the state rather than mix the area codes? My understanding is that your new neighbor, who lives across the street, may have a different area code. Does anybody know if this is correct?
Posted by: Leah on Dec 31, 2008 at 12:29 PM
I have lived in 5 different states. Each state had more than one area code. But NEVER... let me emphasize - NEVER did we ever have to dial an area code to call our neighbor next door. This is really stupid! Only in God forsaken WV does this happen!
Posted by: Kim on Dec 31, 2008 at 12:29 PM
To Larry, the new area code is just for people getting new service. The old numbers keep the same area code so you don't need to change anyone's number.
Posted by: P on Dec 31, 2008 at 11:54 AM
This is what is known as an Overlay. You'll have both 304 and 681 as area codes. It may take a while before you actually see people utilizing these numbers. Your existing phone number WILL NOT be changed. The confusion is when you start seeing people with the new area code as their number and forgetting it is local. Mostly with cell phone companies, and Digital phone and Voip based services will utilize the new area code first.
Posted by: please on Dec 31, 2008 at 11:41 AM
they are running out of numbers so a new area code is issued. the realy STUPID part is saying i will need to use the area code calling my new neighbors. why didnt these people think and divide the state up for the area codes that is what happened to me in NC. they did not just decide to mess with everyone just part of the state. this state is screwed up bunch of hicks. the logical thing to do is decide. that way you would only have to use the whole number if it was a legit long distance call.
Posted by: Rachael on Dec 31, 2008 at 11:01 AM
http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/wv/information/areacode.html Details here about the Area Code. You can also search "681 Area Code" into Yahoo search and research further. And I do agree, WSAZ needs to give more information about this.
Posted by: chris on Dec 31, 2008 at 10:54 AM
You know that WV are slow, it will take them a year to learn new numbers!!!!!!!!(LOL) Just kidding
Posted by: A on Dec 31, 2008 at 10:50 AM
2 seperate area codes.....
Posted by: more info plz on Dec 31, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Hey WSAZ, could you please look into giving some more detailed information on this such as a map of the state showing where the zones will be....or is it just that all newly issued numbers will be the new a/c?
Posted by: K on Dec 31, 2008 at 09:48 AM
To Anonymous on Dec 31, 2008 at 09:00 AM: I absolutely agree. Some people are so quick to point fingers and think that the government is out to make their lives miserable. I think the employees at WSAZ do a great job as well.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 31, 2008 at 09:30 AM
after all these yr's i don't think it's right of some one coming in & changeing our area code just because it's 2009 or a new look.
Posted by: A on Dec 31, 2008 at 09:02 AM
This is a second run of this story. When it orig aired they went into great detail. The reason is that WV is running out of phone numbers to put with the 304 area code. They are not doing away with the 304 area code all together just adding another one like many of the states around us.
Posted by: Larry on Dec 31, 2008 at 09:00 AM
2 area codes or just one? I need to change 400 numbers in my cell and It would be nice to know more details...
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 31, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Let's think about it. I don't see the state getting a new area code unless they needed it. With the number of cell phones at an all time high and new numbers being issued I am imagining that we are running out of 304 numbers. So from now on I really wish people would use their brains and think about things before they leave stupid comments. I mean seriously, why would the state stop using 304. So please stop thinking people are hiding things from you and everything is a conspiracy of sorts. I think WSAZ does an outstanding job, and some things (we assume) are too obvious for explanation.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 31, 2008 at 08:42 AM
ok this is stupid how bout puttin why we need a new area code i mean whats wrong with 304 wsaz just give us half the story is the state gonna have 2 area codes or are we gonna have to get a new one
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