Chronicle graphic by Ron Rogers
BY TEVIN STINSON
THE CHRONICLE
This Saturday, dialing only seven digits to call friends or relatives in the Piedmont Triad will become a thing of the past. As of April 23, all local calls made within the 336 area code must be placed by using the 10-digit telephone number.
The same dialing procedure will apply to new telephone numbers that will be assigned a new 743 area code as well. According to the N.C. Utilities Commission, the new area code will be introduced to ensure that enough telephone numbers are available for residents in the area.
Cities affected by the change include Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Kernersville, High Point, Burlington, North Wilkesboro, Roxboro, and Asheboro.
While the change is expected to go into effect this weekend, a number of people in the area said they didn’t know anything about the change when asked if they were prepared. Amanda Jones of Winston-Salem said she was unaware of the change until she received an automated message from her cell phone provider earlier this week.
“I had no idea that the change was taking place this weekend,” said Jones. “I’m sure there are a lot of people in the community who don’t know as well.”
To assess how others throughout the city are taking to the change, The Chronicle hit the streets. Here is what residents said about the new 10-digit dialing process and the new area code that will now be used in the geographic area that has been covered by 336 alone for more than a decade.