What is an area code overlay?

An overlay is the addition of another area code (924) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (507). An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code but does require using a new dialing procedure to complete calls.

Who will be affected?

The 507 area code covers southern Minnesota and cities including, but not limited to Albert Lea, Austin, Fairmont, Mankato, Northfield, Rochester, Winona, Worthington, and other smaller communities. Anyone with a 507 area code will need to use a new dialing procedure, but will not have to change their telephone number. New telephone numbers may be assigned in the new 924 area code.

What will be the new dialing procedure?

All calls in the 507 area code geographic area that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to be dialed using area code + telephone number. The same dialing procedure will apply to both 507 telephone numbers and telephone numbers that are assigned in the new 924 area code.

When will the change begin?

Effective January 30, 2024, dial the area code + telephone number whenever you place a call. If you forget and dial just seven digits, your call will still be completed.

Beginning July 30, 2024, you must dial the area code + telephone number on all calls, including calls within your same area code. If you do not dial the area code + telephone number, your call will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again, including the area code.

Beginning August 30, 2024, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the new 924 area code.

What will change?

• Dial the area code + telephone number for local calls.
• All services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial a 7-digit number will need to be reprogrammed to include the area code. Some examples are: life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services and similar functions, etc.
• Update your websites, personal and business stationery and checks, advertising materials, personal and pet ID tags and other such items to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including current area code.
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
• What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 if available in your area.

Who may you contact with questions?

If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call the number showing on your bill or access the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission website at:  https://mn.gov/puc/.

The post Area Code Overlay Approved for the Minnesota 507 Area Code appeared first on Allstream.

Who will be affected?

Everyone with a 480, 602 or 623 area code will be affected by this boundary elimination overlay. The 602 area code principally serves the City of Phoenix. The 480 area code primarily serves the eastern region including Scottsdale, Chandler and Tempe.  The 623 area code is currently assigned to the western and northern most areas including Buckeye, Glendale and Peoria.  Once the boundary elimination area code overlay is implemented, the entire Phoenix metro area will be combined and there will no longer be any geographic areas served separately.

When will the change begin?

Beginning August 12, 2023, 10-digit dialing will become mandatory throughout the 480, 602 and 623 area code regions, and calls that do not include the area code will not complete. If you forget and only dial 7 digits, you will hear a recorded message that advises you to include the area code.  You will need to hang up and re-dial your call including the area code.

Beginning September 12, 2023, new telephone lines or services in the former ‘geographic’ areas served separately may now be assigned numbers from the area codes in 480, 602 or 623.  All area code numbers may be ported throughout the Phoenix metro area since the boundaries between the area codes will be eliminated.  As an example, if you or your business moves from Scottsdale to Phoenix, you will no longer be required to change your telephone number when moving into a different area code within the Phoenix metro area.

What will you need to do?

In addition to dialing 10-digits for all local calls, you should identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number (area code + 7-digit telephone number), and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, and customers, etc.  Please ensure all services, such as automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial a 7-digit number are updated to include the area code. Some examples are life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, mobile and cordless phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions. Be sure to check your personal and business stationery, checks, advertising materials, websites, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included in your telephone number.

What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including the current area code, will not change.
• What is currently a local call will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• The price of a call or other rates and services will not change.
• You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, or 811, if currently available in your community.

Who may you contact with questions?

If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call 1-866-468-3472 or access the following websites for more information: https://allstream.com/support/us-customer-support/ or http://www.azcc.gov/utilities/telephone/all-about-area-codes.

The post Elimination of Area Code Boundaries between 480, 602 & 623 in the Phoenix Metro Area Effective September 12, 2023 appeared first on Allstream.

Starting May 31, 2023, mandatory 10-digit dialing will be implemented for all local calls in New Foundland & Labrador (Area Code 709), northern Ontario (Area Code 807) and the Area Code 867 Exchanges of Yellowknife (including Dettah, Behchokǫ̀, and Whatì).

Allstream customers can begin to reprogram phones or PBX systems in preparation for mandated 10-digit dialing on April 1, 2023.

To complete all local calls, you will need to dial the area code plus the 7-digit telephone number. This applies to all calls within your area code that are currently dialed with 7-digits.

On and after May 31, 2023, local calls dialed with only 7-digits may not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. If you get that recording, you must hang up and dial again using the area code and the 7-digit telephone number.

In addition to changing your dialing patterns, all services, automatic dialing equipment or other types of equipment that are programmed to complete 7-digit local calls will need to be reprogrammed to complete\ calls to 10-digit numbers e.g., fax machines, internet dial-up numbers, fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates, call forwarding settings and voicemail services or other similar functions.

The post Moving to mandatory 10 Digit Dialing on May 31, 2023 in Canada appeared first on Allstream.

What is a boundary elimination overlay?

A boundary elimination overlay for the Phoenix metro area means the three area codes serving the Phoenix metro area will all serve the same geographic area, there will no longer be a boundary between the 480, 602 and 623 area codes and the three area codes will all serve the same combined geographic region. A boundary elimination overlay does not require you to change your existing area code or phone number but will require you to include the area code when dialing all calls, including local calls.

Who will be affected?

The boundary elimination overlay between 480, 602 and 623 area codes will affect callers in the Phoenix metro area which includes but is not limited to the communities of Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sun City, Sun Lakes, Tempe, and Tolleson.

When will the change begin?

Beginning February 11, 2023, anyone with a 602 or 623 area code should begin using 10 digits (area code + phone number) when dialing all local calls (Mandatory 10-digit dialing has already been implemented in the 480 area code). This includes all local calls which currently allow 7-digit dialing.  During the permissive 10-digit dialing period, if you forget and only dial 7 digits, your calls will still complete.  The permissive 10-digit dialing period will remain in place until August 12, 2023.

Beginning August 12, 2023, 10-digit dialing will become mandatory for anyone with a 602 and 623 area code, and their calls that do not include the area code will not complete. If you forget and only dial 7 digits, you will hear a recorded message that advises you to include the area code, and you will need to hang up and re-dial your call including the area code.

What will you need to do?

In addition to dialing 10-digits for all local calls, you should identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number (area code + 7-digit telephone number), and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, and customers, etc.  Please ensure all services, such as automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial a 7-digit number are updated to include the area code. Some examples are life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, mobile and cordless phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions. Be sure to check your personal and business stationery, checks, advertising materials, websites, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included in your telephone number.

What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including the current area code, will not change.
• What is currently a local call will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• The price of a call or other rates and services will not change.
• You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, or 811, if currently available in your community.

Who may you contact with questions?

If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call 1-866-468-3472 or access https://allstream.com/support/us-customer-support/ or the following web site for more information: http://www.azcc.gov/utilities/telephone/all-about-area-codes.

The post Dialing Plan Change Coming to 602 & 623 Area Codes in Arizona All Customers Should Dial 10 Digits Starting February 11, 2023 appeared first on Allstream.

What is an Area Code Overlay?

An overlay is the addition of another area code (369) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (707). The overlay does not require you to change your existing area code or phone number, or how you dial your calls. You will continue to dial 1+10 digits (area code + phone number) for all local calls, as you do today, within and between the 707 and 369 area codes. Mobile phone customers will continue to dial either 10 digits or 1+10 digits.

Who is affected and when does the new 369 area code become effective?

Beginning February 1, 2023, customers in the 707 area code region may be assigned a number in the new 369 area code when they request new service or an additional line. Customers receiving the 369 area code will be required to dial 1+10 digits for all local calls, just as customers with telephone numbers from the 707 area code do today. Mobile phone customers receiving 369 numbers may dial either 10 digits or 1+10 digits.

What will you need to do?

Customers in the overlay region should:

• Continue to dial 1+10 digits for all local calls, including calls within the same area code.
• Continue to identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number, and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, customers, etc.
• Ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 369 area code as a valid area code and continue to store or program telephone numbers as 10-digit numbers. Some examples are: stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors and/or other similar equipment.
• Check items such as your website, personal and business stationery, printed checks, advertising materials, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including the current area code, will not change.
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
• What is a local call now will remain a local call.
• You will continue to dial 1+10 digits for local calls within and between the overlay area codes, and 1+10 digits for long distance calls.
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 if those are currently available in your community.

Who may you contact with questions?

If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call Allstream at 1-866-468-3472 or access Allstream’s website for more information. You can also visit the California Public Utilities Commission website at https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/707areacode.

The post The New 369 Area Code is Coming to the California 707 Area Code Region appeared first on Allstream.

Now, as we look at the best way to meet the evolving needs of our customers and achieve our shared business goals, we see an opportunity to officially bring some of Allstream’s products under the Zayo umbrella. This will equip us to further expand voice and connectivity solutions to our midsized enterprise customers across North America.

The powerful combination of our product offerings will generate new opportunities for these customers in key metro regions, providing them with an enhanced product portfolio spanning fiber connectivity, managed services and cloud-based communications solutions. Allstream will continue to support existing small business customers with legacy services such as phone lines and PRIs, operating under the Allstream brand.

Once the integration is complete, which is contingent upon regulatory approval, we will begin expanding our combined footprint. We see a particularly strong opportunity in those markets served by Zayo’s recently-announced “Zayo Enterprise Solutions” offerings. Together, our breadth of products and solutions will be an even more powerful force for our customers.

We are excited about what this integration means for Zayo– the opportunity it provides our teams, the growth it provides our business, and most importantly, the enhanced experience it provides our customers.

The post Zayo to integrate Allstream voice and collaboration products, giving midsized customers a complete connectivity solution appeared first on Allstream.

“We became an Allstream Master Agent because of their Intelligent Platform, which provides the purpose-built fiber network with the cloud communications solutions our customers are demanding. We are looking forward to doing some really big things together,” said Brian Belanger, President and Managing Partner, OTG Consulting. “Allstream consistently delivers on their commitments and brings the kind of responsiveness our agents want and deserve. They have the experience and resources we need to provide the right solutions to our customers.” 

Allstream’s philosophy is to deliver the best customer experience, combined with easy-to-use technology. Being big enough to deliver, small enough to care means offering customers everything they need to connect, communicate and collaborate – with a partner they can depend on.  Allstream’s Intelligent Platform easily integrates and scales to meet customers’ unique business needs. This gives customers the benefits of a single provider offering the latest in cloud communications technology. It is with Allstream’s expansive, cross-border network and solutions that customers benefit the most. It’s apparent with their lowered IT costs, improved efficiency, maximized uptime through reliability, security and resiliency and improved collaboration amongst employees and with customers.   

“Part of our growth strategy is to partner with organizations that have an established presence across the country and a great reputation in the industry. That is the exact reason we’re excited to announce this partnership with Master Agent OTG Consulting,” said Brent Wyman, Allstream’s Senior Vice President of Sales. “It’s exciting to open a new chapter with OTG. They will be an essential extension of our sales team, helping us serve customers looking to build their businesses.” 

About Allstream 

Allstream is a leader in business communications throughout Canada and the United States and is redefining customer experience in the communications industry. What differentiates us is that we are big enough to deliver, small enough to care. With Allstream, customers benefit from access to an expansive network of experts and a team focused on reliability. As a single provider of voice, collaboration, and connectivity solutions, Allstream makes communication and collaboration easy. We deliver the latest technology and customer experience to drive customers into the future. 

About OTG Consulting 

OTG Consulting is a consortium of some of the industry’s most influential connected Telecom Executives leveraging their inside knowledge to assist SMB and Enterprise Businesses in their transition from the PSTN to IP based Unified Communications in an effort to provide efficacy and savings. OTG offers the experience, knowledge, and technical understanding coupled with associations with all the key players/partners needed to provide solutions to navigate the impending changes. 

The post OTG Consulting Joins Allstream’s Alliance Partner Program as new Master Agent appeared first on Allstream.

In order for 988 to work in your area code, mandatory 10-digit local dialing will be implemented.  If your area code is included in the list below, you will need to dial the area code for all local calls starting on October 24, 2021.

What will be the new dialing procedure?

To complete all local calls, you will now need to dial area code + telephone number. This applies to all calls within your area code that are currently dialed with seven digits.

Who will be affected?

Anyone with a telephone number from your area code will need to make a change from 7-digit local dialing to 10-digit local dialing.

When will the change begin?

Beginning October 24, 2021, you must dial 10 digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls.  On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7 digits may not be completed, and a recording will inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed.  You must hang up and and dial again using the area code and the 7-digit number.

Beginning July 16, 2022, dialing “988” will route your call to the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline.

What will you need to do?

In addition to changing the way you dial local calls, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to complete calls to 7-digit local numbers will need to be reprogrammed to complete calls to 10-digit numbers. Some examples are life safety systems or medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates, speed dialers, mobile or other wireless phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services and other similar functions. Be sure to check your website, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, contact information, your personal or pet ID tags, and other such items to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?

• Your telephone number, including current area code, will not
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the dialing change.
• What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
• You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all long distance
• You can still dial just three digits to reach 711 (relay services) and 911 (emergency services).
• Any 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, or 811 services available in your community can still be reached by dialing their three-digit codes.
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can still be reached by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Who may you contact with questions?

If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call Allstream at  1-866-468-3472 or access Allstream.com for more information.  You can also visit the FCC website at https://www.fcc.gov/suicide-prevention-hotline.

The post Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing Becomes Effective on October 24, 2021 for Multiple States/Area Codes appeared first on Allstream.

Through its new offering, Max UC delivers reliable and high-quality voice services by leveraging Allstream’s Intelligent Platform. This allows for simple onboarding and key features resulting in a highly intuitive user experience. Max UC integrates messaging, meetings and video on its desktop and mobile Max client. The client is available on Windows, Mac OS, Android or iOS and is integrated with Microsoft 365 and Teams.

Remote work and nomadic work forces are the future of work. We are seeing working life moving constantly from desk to laptop to smart phone to tablet, and the workforce is becoming more distributed. Allstream’s Max UC is the solution for the adaptable employee, providing a fully featured soft phone that enables employees to send and receive calls, instant messages (IM), or video calls from any internet connected device. 

“Our philosophy at Allstream is to deliver the best customer experience with easy-to-use technology. With the launch of Max UC, Allstream is doing exactly that — providing our customers with the technology, together with our people, to help businesses execute on their objectives,” said Stephen Fisher, Allstream COO. “Max UC combines the best elements of unified communications, ease of use, and seamless integration across all devices — with the power of business enabling software that our customers will be delighted to use.” 

Max UC: The phone system you need 

For more than a decade, Allstream has been offering cloud communications and UC solutions to customers in both the Canadian and US markets​. Max UC is the latest tool from Allstream to help make business communication seamless, exemplified by its latest innovation: Allstream Max web client and mobile app, which unify the communication experience for employees — allowing them to work from anywhere on any device.  

With Max UC businesses get: 

• Allstream Max UC Portal. An easy-to-use web portal that allows a central administrator to control phone settings for the entire business. Individuals can use the portal to manage their own extensions and IP phones. 
• Powerful ‘presence’ capabilities, which allow visibility into real-time status of coworkers, on the phone, or in a meeting. This integrates with Outlook so that click-to-dial and IM can be integrated easily into email. 
• Over 50 features and multiple phone models. A fully featured web portal allows for customization of how employees work. Allstream Max UC includes Unified Communications features like instant messaging, video chat, presence (co-worker status) and voice to text transcription that integrates across all devices – desktop, mobile, and tablet. 
• Functionality tailored to the needs of specific job roles and individual preferences based on varying needs for external communication, degree of mobility, and other role-based drivers. 
• Reliable performance and great support are provided, as Max UC is fully integrated into Allstream’s advanced Intelligent Platform. 

To learn more, visit: https://allstream.com/services/voice-and-collaboration/Allstream-Max-UC   

Allstream is a leader in business communications throughout Canada and the United States; what differentiates us is that we are big enough to deliver and small enough to care. With Allstream, customers benefit from access to an expansive network of experts and a team focused on reliability. As a single provider of voice, collaboration and connectivity solutions, Allstream makes communication and collaboration easy. The combination of our purpose-built network and scalable solutions means we can deliver the latest technology and customer experience to drive our customers into the future. 

The post Allstream Expands Its Unified Communications Offering for US and Canadian Customers with Max UC appeared first on Allstream.

If you’re one of the millions of companies using copper-based communication services (also known as T1 lines) for voice and data, you might be concerned about how the FCC’s deregulation order will affect your business. One of the concerns is ongoing rate increases on T1-based communication services expected beginning in July 2022. 

So, what does this mean for your business and how can Allstream help you through these changes? 

In light of anticipated rate increases due to the FCC deregulation, prices for T1 lines are expected to skyrocket. 

It is important to note that the FCC didn’t mandate the retirement of T1 lines, however with the deregulation of pricing coupled with incumbent telecom providers’ plans to retire their copper networks over time, it is expected that T1 lines will be phased out in favor of next-generation services in the years to come.  

While there’s no need to panic—after all, T1 lines aren’t going to disappear overnight—it’s a good time to start thinking about making the move to next generation technologies. You’ll avoid significant price increases to your T1-based services, and there are other benefits, too—particularly when it comes to modernizing your data and voice services. 

With high-speed internet access as well as VoIP solutions and cloud-based communication platforms, you can support remote and hybrid workforces with increased speed and reduced latency. Your employees will be able to do anything from send text messages to host video calls anywhere in the world, on a flexible, secure, reliable platform. 

Allstream can help you understand what options are available for you to make the transition to technologies that deliver an improved experience with enhanced capabilities. 

Here are a few commonly asked questions: 

How will these regulatory changes affect my services from Allstream? 

The FCC deregulated the pricing of certain T1 lines that Allstream uses for the provisioning of various communication services. Allstream’s underlying providers have already increased the rates for certain services, and the rates of other services will increase in the coming months and years. This means that Allstream is, and will continue to be, subject to increasing cost, and we will have to pass through the additional cost on to our customers. 

Will I be impacted by the FCC deregulation? 

If you have a T1-based service with Allstream in the US, then you’ll see rate increases on your invoice, as those are imposed on Allstream by its underlying providers. We will provide advance notice of any upcoming cost increase pass-through. 

Are T1 lines going away? 

The FCC did not mandate the retirement or termination of T1 lines. However, since T1 lines are copper-based services, they will be subject to copper and switch retirements by incumbent telecom providers, but this will not happen all at once. 

Will I be notified of the anticipated rate increase? 

Yes, all our impacted customers will receive advance notice from Allstream, outlining their impacted services and the third-party rate increase pass through. Our team will be available to work with you to discuss any affected services and your options to upgrade to next generation,  cost effective solutions. 

Why is the rate increase required? 

The FCC has deregulated the wholesale underlying services we purchase to provide various services to customers. Allstream’s underlying providers for the impacted services are expected to increase their rates. As a result, Allstream costs to provide these services will increase, and Allstream will need to pass-through the increased third-party cost to its customers. 

How can I avoid rate increases related to the FCC deregulation? 

Allstream is happy to advise you on alternative next-generation solutions that will allow for a better user experience at competitive rates. If you’re not sure where to start, Allstream can help you understand your options to make the transition to next-gen technologies for an improved experience and enhanced capabilities. Speak with your sales representative or account consultant or contact Customer Service to discuss your options. 

Here are some additional resources for you: 

How Will The FCC Deregulation Order Affect Your POTS Lines?

The post How Will The FCC Deregulation Order Affect Your T1-based Communication Services? appeared first on Allstream.