The Post-Crescent

Ten-digit dialing for local calls in the 715 area code unofficially
begins Saturday October 17, 2009 as state regulators look to cope with
an inadequate supply of telephone numbers.

The change is the beginning of a nine-month period for people to get
used to dialing 715 and then their regular seven-digit number for
local calls. The change becomes mandatory on July 7, 2010.

A similar change is set to take place in 2011 and 2012 for 920 area
code residents.

A continuing growth in the number of homes and businesses with
multiple telephone landlines, cell phones and Internet access numbers
is putting a strain on the available telephone numbers in both area
codes, according to the state Public Service Commission. New
subscribers to phone service in the 715 area will be assigned an area
code of 534, a process called “overlaying” telephone numbers.