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New Suffolk County area code to be implemented next month

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Suffolk County residents will soon have three more numbers to dial when making in-county calls.

As of June 18, the new 934 area code will be applied to Suffolk County residents who purchase new phones. Current 631 phone numbers will not be affected.

However, every phone call will require the 631 or 934 area code prior to the seven-digit number. In-county calls won’t require an additional +1 like most out-of-area-code calls do, officials said.

Additionally, all contacts saved in phones must be changed to include the area code before July 16.

The new area code is “to ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers for cells and landlines in the county,” according to a release from DJJ Technologies, a communications company based in Islandia. In December 2014, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator announced that the county was running out of available 631 phone numbers, so the new area code was created.

When initially faced with the issue, the county had to choose between an “overlay” option, where new phone numbers throughout the county would get a 934 area code or a “geographic split,” in which one section of Suffolk would have 631 and the other 934.

Ultimately, the overlay option was chosen after the New York State Public Service Commission determined it would be easier and less expensive to implement from a customer standpoint. This option also allows businesses to keep signage and branding, something they might be forced to do in a geographic split situation.

Emergency service personnel can still be reached solely by dialing 911. Other numbers remaining three digits are 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811.

As the new code is introduced, customers are asked to check that all services, including fax machines, automatic dialing equipment, speed dialers, and alarm and security systems, recognize the incoming 934 area code. NYS Public Service Commission also asks that residents make sure their business stationary, personal checks, pet identification tags and other items contain the area code.

Photo Credit: Flickr.com/Eduardo Woo

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