Web posted on May 20, 2006

Area Code 226 is coming to Southwestern Ontario in October when is scheduled to launch as an overlay in the current 519 area.

If patterns are similar as other areas that have had overlaid area codes the first 226 numbers will likely be used for cell phones, pagers and possibly even VoIP numbers.

Beginning in the week of June 17, callers in the 519 area who dial local calls using only seven digits will hear a recording advising them to dial 10 digits in future. This "permissive dialing" phase of implementing 10-digit dialing will extend until mandatory 10-digit local dialing begins in October.

As of October 14, all local calls made from within the 519 region, must dial the 519 area code or the calls will not go through. You do not need to add the one if it is still a local call.

The latest Number Resource Usage survey predicts that the last remaining prefixes in 519 will be in use by January 2007.

Modems and fax machines will be hit hard by this.
ISPs are asking dial in users to re-program there modems before June 17. If you are unsure how to do this call your ISPs support line.

10-digit dialing will also be required for callers in four 705 exchanges, Alliston, Barrie, Collingwood, and Cookstown, when they place local calls to the 519 or 226 numbers.

The CRTC has told small independent phone companies (non -Bell) that they do not have to comply with the "permissive dialing" phase of implementing 10-digit dialing. However, they must notify their customers of the upcoming October change by bill inserts, notices in local newspapers, letters to customers, and posting the information on their website.