Changes Coming For Residents In 865 Area Code

If you live in the 865 area code…in our area that would be Jefferson & Sevier counties…changes are coming next month as to how you make phone calls. Starting on October 24th, you will no longer be able to use 7 digit dialing in that area code. The full 10 digit number will have to be dialed for all local calls within the 865 area code. Long-distance calls will still be made by dialing 1 + area code + phone number. On Oct. 24 and afterwards local calls dialed with only seven digits will not be completed, and a recording will inform you your call cannot be completed as dialed. The recording will ask you to please hang up and redial with 10 digits. The change is being made so that people do not dial the new 988 emergency line to the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline by mistake. Residents and businesses should check with their security or alarm companies to make sure their systems are programmed to handle the new 10-digit dialing pattern. Also you will need to check anything that automatically dials, like memory numbers, fax numbers and such.

This change is happening only in the 865 area code…dialing in the 423 area code will remain the same.