By Ben Olson
Reader Staff
Life in the 208 is about to get a little more cumbersome. In anticipation of the new 986 area code—which rolls out next year—officials are asking Idaho telephone users to begin new dialing procedures.
Instead of dialing the standard 7-digit telephone number for local calls, you will now need to dial the full 10-digit number that will include the area code. Until Aug. 5, 2017, the new procedures are just “recommended.” If you forget and dial just seven digits, your call will still be completed.
After Aug. 5, 2017, the new dialing procedures will be required for all calls, long distance or local. New telephone lines and services with the new 986 area code will be assigned after Sept. 5, 2017.
The extended “practice” period is essential for customers to update their automatic dialing equipment, as well as updating business cards, website links and other notations where the full number isn’t listed.
While we have you ...
... if you appreciate that access to the news, opinion, humor, entertainment and cultural reporting in the Sandpoint Reader is freely available in our print newspaper as well as here on our website, we have a favor to ask. The Reader is locally owned and free of the large corporate, big-money influence that affects so much of the media today. We're supported entirely by our valued advertisers and readers. We're committed to continued free access to our paper and our website here with NO PAYWALL - period. But of course, it does cost money to produce the Reader. If you're a reader who appreciates the value of an independent, local news source, we hope you'll consider a voluntary contribution. You can help support the Reader for as little as $1.
You can contribute at either Paypal or Patreon.
Contribute at Patreon Contribute at Paypal
Coming up this week! Don’t miss out on “Get Plowed”, a Food Summit, Folk Art, and more! See the full list of events in the 
