New Area Code Changes Are Coming to Arizona! Will You Be Affected?

Did you recently get a message from your cell phone carrier about changes to your service? If you live in Arizona, you may be affected by a change to area codes in certain parts of the state.

The carriers' message informed customers with certain Arizona telephone numbers about a recent change to their cell phone service.

Area Code Changes to Arizona Customers

In 2021, the Arizona Corporation Commision removed the boundary between the 480, 602 and 623 area codes. Now each of these area codes will serve the entire Phoenix metropolitan area, instead of being broken down into separate areas. For example, 480 currently covers Mesa, 602 is used in most of Phoenix, while 623 covers most of the Western Phoenix area.

Cell phone carriers recently sent out messages to their customers in the Phoenix area outlining the changes, and how it affects network clients.

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Going forward, callers will have to use all ten digits - the area code, plus the seven-digit telephone number - when dialing a number, no matter where they're calling to or from.

The National 988 Lifeline

The change was implemented in part to accommodate the new ‘988’ dialing code. Similar to the concept of dialing 9-1-1 to reach emergency services, dialing 9-8-8 is now the quickest way for anyone to reach the National 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

When Does the Change Begin?

Beginning on September 12th, any of the three area codes could be assigned to customers in the area when requesting a new telephone number, adding a line or starting new service, regardless of where they live in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.

Customers in the rest of Arizona will not be affected by the area code change. However, the 10-digit calling requirement affects everyone. The call remains local, no matter how many numbers are dialed.

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