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New Oregon 458 Area Code
Will Share the Same Region as the Existing 541 Area Code

To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) has approved the addition of the 458 area code to the geographic region served by 541—this is called an Area Code Overlay.

How Will This Affect Me?
Because of the addition of the 458 area code, all customers within the 541/458 geography will need to dial the correct area code followed by the 7-digit telephone number when dialing a 541 or 458 number. Please see the map below for an outline of the 541/458 area code region.

What is the Dialing Change?
To complete local calls, the new dialing procedure requires callers to dial the full 10-digit telephone number. This means that all calls in the 541 area code that are currently dialed with 7-digits will need to be dialed using the area code + 7-digit telephone number. Additionally, local calls from some Oregon communities that border the states of California, Idaho, Nevada, and Washington will need to be dialed with the appropriate area code.

However, long distance calls will remain the same. Callers need to dial 1 + area code + 7-digit telephone number whenever placing a long distance call from the 541 or 458 area code.

When Will These Changes go Into Effect?
Effective July 12, 2009, you should begin using the new dialing procedure whenever you place local calls from the 541 area code. If you forget and use the old dialing procedure of dialing just 7-digits, your call will still be completed.

Beginning January 10, 2010, you must use the new dialing procedure for all local calls. After this date, if you do not use the new dialing procedure, your call will not be completed, and a recording will provide instructions on how to redial your call.

Beginning February 10, 2010, new telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with the 458 area code.

What Will Change?

You will need to dial 10-digits (area code + 7-digit telephone number) for every local call.
You may need to reprogram or upgrade your equipment if you use specialized communications equipment like a PBX, electronic telephone sets, auto-dial systems or multi-line key systems to use the new dialing procedure.
Some automatically dialed calls may require reprogramming to include the new dialing procedure. These calls may include: life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions.
Check your websites, business stationary, advertising materials, personal checks, contact information, and your ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

What Will Remain the Same?

Your telephone number, which includes your area code, will remain the same.
The price of a call, local and long-distance calling areas, and other rates and services will not change as a result of the Area Code Overlay. What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
You should still dial just three digits to reach 911.
If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811 are currently available in your community; you will still dial them with just three digits.

Questions?
If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call 541-893-6115 or the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) website at www.puc.state.or.us/PUC/541_area_code.shtml.