Nuvera Communications, Inc. is helping communities prepare for a new area code in southern Minnesota.The new 924-area code will be rolled out in the southernMinnesota region currently using the 507-area code. The area includes Albert Lea, Austin, Fairmont, Mankato, Northfield, Rochester, Winona, Worthington, and other smallersurrounding communities. The Minnesota PublicUtilities Commission approvedthe new 924-area code to ensure enough access to numbers to serve people and businesses in the area. The 507-area code has been in place since 1954 and is projected to run out of numbers by 2025.All Southern Minnesota customers in the 507/924 area code region will need to begin using all 10-digits when they place a local call.The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has created the following 924-area coderollout timeframe:
• On Jan. 30, all residents and businesses begin the transition to 10-digit calling (3-digit area code + 7-digit telephone number) by adding the area code to all local calls. All calls will go through during a six-month transition period.
• Beginning July 30, residents and businesses must include the area code + number on all calls. If the area code is not included, a recording will instruct the caller to try again andinclude the area code.
• Effective Aug. 30, new numbers may be assigned the 924 area code. Expect 10-digit local calling to include both 507 and 924 numbers.Tips to Transition to 10-Digit Dialing
• Check mobile phone contacts to ensure all local numbers saved as 7-digits are updated to dial 10-digits. Even local calls from one 507 number to another 507 number, must include the area code.
• Inventory devices and services where numbers are stored and make a plan to update them. This may include security systems, health care alert devices, pet ID tags and more.
• Local businesses should plan to communicate to customers a full 10-digit number with area code for customer awareness and to avoid disruption.• No area code is required to dial 3-digit service numbers including 911, 811, 988 and others where available.