Auto Prefix dialing/ "1+area code+number"

Question

Level 1

10 points

Auto Prefix dialing/ "1+area code+number"

Is there a way to have the iPhone automatically add the Prefix 1 to all my contacts. I live in the city of Chicago and starting this Saturday we have to start using 11 digit dialing due to too many phone numbers and area codes in the city. even if you live in an area code you still have to dial 1 to place a local call.

I am trying to avoid editing all my phone contacts as I have way too many. I will need this to access all phone numbers, even out of state.

any ideas? Does International assist do this for US based phone calls?

8 core Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Nov 5, 2009 9:56 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 5, 2009 9:59 AM in response to K2-640

You do not need to worry about it - AT&T handles that for you (the 1, that is, not the area code). We live in a mixed area (need to dial area code for local calls). From a landline, I must dial 1-617-etc. But from my iPhone, I can just dial 617-etc.

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Answer 2

K2-640 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 5, 2009 10:10 AM in response to K2-640

I just want to be sure, because we all received letters from our phone companies and even T-mobile which is my works cell phone company stating we need to start dialing 1 from cell phones too. for example if you live in a 312 area code and you are calling a 312 area code you must still dial 1+312...

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Answer 3

paulcb

Level 6

19,239 points

Nov 5, 2009 10:19 AM in response to K2-640

That's odd... seems like adding the 1 doesn't do anything to differentiate numbers since it's the same for all. I thought it was only to identify long distance, not differentiate numbers.

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Answer 4

K2-640 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 5, 2009 10:32 AM in response to K2-640

here is the article from the News:

11-digit dialing starts Saturday in Chicago
November 4, 2009 5:40 AM | 5 Comments
On Saturday, Chicago will officially start use of its third area code, 872.

And with that comes the first day of 11-digit dialing in the city, according to the Illinois Commerce Commission. That means that residents will no longer be able to dial seven digits to reach a local number inside their same area code.

Callers will have to dial 1 plus the area code and the number to complete a call in the city.

The 872 code joins the 312 and 773 area codes within Chicago city limits. (map)

Present phone numbers will not change. The new 872 area code will be assigned only for new
telephone numbers within Chicago.

The city Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection advises residents and businesses to prepare for 11-digit dialing by making sure equipment with automatic dialing features is programmed with all 11-digits for each telephone number.

--Associated Press

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Answer 5

Nov 5, 2009 11:10 AM in response to K2-640

Let's go back to your original questions.

K2-640 wrote:
Is there a way to have the iPhone automatically add the Prefix 1 to all my contacts.
Does International assist do this for US based phone calls?

No and no.

So, you have two options. 1) go through all your contacts right now and add a 1 to all of them, or 2) wait until Saturday and see if it works without the 1 from your iPhone.

As I stated, we have the same dialing requirements for local calls in Boston, and have for some time now. I do not need a 1 on my contact numbers, nor do I need to enter a 1 first when dialing a local number manually from the iPhone - I just dial the area code and the number (i.e. just 10 digits).

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