7 digit dialing....and cell phones

[VaSteve]

I was out by Summit Point today, which is on the Va/WV line. I was seeeing a sign on the side of the road for some pizza shop with only 7 digits for the phone number. I don't know if that was in the 703 or 304 area code. Cell phone reception out there is kinda bad anyway, but it got me wondering..do cell phones work with 7 digit dialing? We've been on 10 digit dialing before cell phones were in everyone's hand. If so, how would it work. My phone is in the 703 area code, it what if I'm travellig somewhere and need to make a local call. Would it know if I was in the area code/local and just connect me?

[masraum]

The cell could work just like a landline, ie 7 digit for local numbers and 10/11 for everything else

[Dantilla]

I make plenty of cell calls with seven digits.

All the numbers in my contact list have area codes in case I'm out of the local area when calling.

[gr8fl4porsche]

No need to dial the area code as long as the number dialed is the same code as the one assigned to phone. At least on every cell I have ever had.

[masraum]

And there you have it

[Gogar]

Our local calling area has two area codes and even land lines must dial 10 digits.

[Nostril Cheese]

It was always 7 digits growing up in SoCal. Of course, that was when the only area code was 213.

[motion]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

It was always 7 digits growing up in SoCal. Of course, that was when the only area code was 213.

I can remember when 714 was OC all the way down to Mexico, and everything east to IE and more. Early 80s.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by masraum

The cell could work just like a landline, ie 7 digit for local numbers and 10/11 for everything else

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

No need to dial the area code as long as the number dialed is the same code as the one assigned to phone. At least on every cell I have ever had.

Ok that the part I don't get. It's all 10 digit dialing where I am. Land/Cell. Supposing I'm the country, another state or whereever it's not and I see a number on a billboard I want to call. They don't even list the area code, so I don't know it. If I dial it, will I get the number in the place I am calling from, the same number in my home area code or nothing at all?

That's what I'm trying to figure out.

[Don Plumley]

Originally Posted by motion

I can remember when 714 was OC all the way down to Mexico, and everything east to IE and more. Early 80s.

Me too.

213 = LA
415 = SF Bay Area
212 = NYC

[masraum]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

Ok that the part I don't get. It's all 10 digit dialing where I am. Land/Cell. Supposing I'm the country, another state or whereever it's not and I see a number on a billboard I want to call. They don't even list the area code, so I don't know it. If I dial it, will I get the number in the place I am calling from, the same number in my home area code or nothing at all?

That's what I'm trying to figure out.

Nope, in the situation you have described, you're screwed. You can't dial the 7 digits on the sign and get the business. You'd have to know the area code. Even though your phone is mobile, the location that it's number is tied to is not. It works the same in reverse, if someone tries to call your phone from a land line in an area that's far from your normal home area, they have to dial you as if you're long distance even if the phones are physically in the same room.

Assuming your carrier allows 7 digit dialing for 703 area codes, if you dialed the 7 digits, you would get the 703- that you called. Not the one that was in the area where you were driving.

[sammyg2]

I hope so, my cell phone still has a rotary dial and those 10 digit numbers take forever.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by masraum

Nope, in the situation you have described, you're screwed. You can't dial the 7 digits on the sign and get the business. You'd have to know the area code.

OK then. Given the fact that man y of the people I know have carried phone with area codes from whereever they got them, even though the don't live there...why would anyone this day and age NOT list the area code. Granted, what I saw was a delivery sign for a local pizza shop. They don't likely want your cell phone passing through business, but it god me thinking. When I was in BFE Ohio going to Mid Ohio, I'd see signs for businesses with 7 digit signs. Glad I didn't need what they were selling!

[masraum]

Well, it's really only going to be an issue for folks like you who were driving through. Anyone that loves there should know the local area code.com especially if they have a phone from another locale.

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

No need to dial the area code as long as the number dialed is the same code as the one assigned to phone. At least on every cell I have ever had.

Not in North NJ -- for years now, ever since they split the 201 area code into 201 and 973, we've had to use 10 digits for all numbers. Even if I'm calling my next door neighbor with the same area code. Since then, they have added at least 2 more area codes for this area, due to cell phones.

-Z-man.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

Ok that the part I don't get. It's all 10 digit dialing where I am. Land/Cell. Supposing I'm the country, another state or whereever it's not and I see a number on a billboard I want to call. They don't even list the area code, so I don't know it. If I dial it, will I get the number in the place I am calling from, the same number in my home area code or nothing at all?

That's what I'm trying to figure out.

You will need the area code. Even if you are out of state and your next door neighbor from back home calls you with 7 digits you will get the call because your cell is tied to your local area code.

[LakeCleElum]

I remember when my full # was: 559-R......The operator would plug in a cable at the Phone Company to connect your Party Line.....Been a few years.......