Southeast Missouri regions will soon see a new area code
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – A new area code change will go into effect for many Missourians starting on March 24, 2024.
The new 235 area code will be added as an overlay to the 573 regions.
An overlay will alleviate the exhaustion of available telephone numbers in the 573-area code.
Those who already have a 573 number will not see any changes but anyone who gets a new number after March 24 will receive a 235-area code.
Starting on February 24, 2024 everyone in the 573 regions will be required to dial 10 digits when placing a call, even if its local.
Cape Girardeau public information’s officer Bobby Newton says this could have an effect on emergency calling systems that are older.
Most newer systems already use the 10-digit code to call but some older systems do not.
“Check with your provider whether that be a life alert system or a security system for your house or your place of business. Just make sure that it’s updated because it will require the 10-digit code and if it doesn’t have the area code in there, we may not get the notification.”
The 573-area code has been used since 1996. Many citizens in the region have never had to use another area code until now.
Stephen Schott is the owner of Schott Realty in Cape Girardeau, and he talks about how the change could affect new businesses.
“It’s a little worrisome especially for like new business like what we have in our building here at 101 North Kingshighway that when we get office phone numbers come April that it’s going to be a 235-area code and when people in the public receive a call from that they might not be as familiar with answering it and think its spam or a scam or whatever it might be.”
It’s important to remember to update everything that doesn’t have a 10-digit number on it.
“If you have animals that have tags your going to want to ensure that you have the new area code on there, and if you have signs, billboards and business cards for a new business that is just starting,” says Schott.
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10-digit dialing for local numbers to begin for 573 area code customers
