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John Cletheroe's
USA and Canada Holiday Hints |
All normal telephone numbers in the USA and Canada have the same basic ten digit format:
1-aaa-eee-nnnnwhere:
To dial a number in the same area code, dial eee-nnnn. Even if the "eee" part of the number you are dialling is the same as your number, it must be included.
To dial a number in a different area code, dial 1-aaa-eee-nnnn.
In densely populated states and in large urban areas there are numerous area codes to cope with the numbers required. For example, each of the boroughs of New York City has a separate area code.
In order to cope with the growth in the number of subscribers, new area codes are occasionally introduced and an area previously served by a single area code is then split geographically between the old area code and the new area code. In a few cases the split may not be geographical but on some other basis, for example between existing subscribers and new subscribers or between normal phones and mobile phones and pagers. Comparing a list of area codes from 1998 with once from 1988 there were numerous changes during that ten years so be sure to always use a modern list.
Road atlases such as those published by Rand McNally often include a map of US and Canadian area codes. Telephone directories often include an area code map of the region, especially if they cover more than one area.
Of the one thousand theoretically possible area codes (000 to 999), currently very approximately a quarter or so are in use either as normal area codes or for special purposes, leaving plenty of room for expansion.
| 011 | International access (calls to outside of the USA and Canada).
Dialling "0" normally connects you to the operator. Therefore you need to dial all three digits of 011 fairly quickly so that they are recognised. |
| 555 | There are no operational 555 numbers. This area code is used for fictional telephone numbers in films and television programmes. |
| 800 | Toll-free. |
| 877 | Toll-free. |
| 888 | Toll-free. |
| 900 | Special rate calls, ranging from low rate calls to extremely high rate calls. You should hear a recording explaining what the charge will be when you call one of these numbers. |
| 911 | Emergency services (equivalent to Britain's "999"). |
| 8000 | The 1998 edition of the Rand McNally road atlas lists two road condition "hotlines" with area codes of 8000 instead of 800 (Montana and Washington State). This is almost certainly a misprint for 800. |
If you are using a payphone, refer to the instructions on the phone. You normally have to insert a coin before dialling. A definite exception to this rule is when making a 911 emergency call. You also might not need to insert a coin before making a toll-free call to an 800, 877 or 888 number.
If you are using an extension on a PBX (private branch exchange), for example from a motel room or from an office within a company, then dialling a number will normally access another extension on the same PBX, i.e. within the same building (for example, another room in the same motel or a colleague's office in the same company building). In order to contact an outside number from an extension on a PBX you normally need to first enter a prefix to get an outside line. This prefix is normally 7, 8 or 9, but in a motel refer to the instructions on the phone to check, or dial 0 to contact the office for assistance. Sometimes one prefix is required for local calls and a different prefix for long distance calls.
You may need to wait a second or two in order to obtain an outside line dialling tone.
| 0 | Dialling 0 will always connect you to an operator, except when dialling the 011 international access area code.
When using an extension on PBX (private branch exchange), dialling 0 will connect you to the PBX operator (in a motel, to the motel office, for example). On the public telephone network, dialling 0 will connect you to the telephone company's operator. |
| 1 | If you want to make a long distance call to a different area code, then you must first enter a 1 as a prefix before the number. This tells the phone system that you are about to dial a full ten digit number including an area code at the start, not a seven digit "within the same area code" number.
Sometimes full ten digit phone numbers are quoted with the "1-" prefix, sometimes not, since the need for the "1-" is generally understood. Toll-free numbers with a prefix of 800, 877 or 888 must also have the "1-" prefix entered before them. When the "outside line" prefix from a PBX (private branch exchange) is different for long distance calls and local calls, I think it might possibly not then be necessary to include the "1-" prefix for long distance calls in some circumstances. This web site includes the "1-" prefix in all US and Canadian phone numbers as a reminder. |
| 7 | Sometimes used to obtain an outside line when using an extension on a PBX (private branch exchange). |
| 8 | Sometimes used to obtain an outside line when using an extension on a PBX. |
| 9 | Sometimes used to obtain an outside line when using an extension on a PBX. |
Check the instructions on the phone and if necessary call the motel office on 0 for help.
In general, I believe you should:
Letters and Numbers Lookup Table.
In general, the cost of long distance calls depends on the distance. However, some telephone companies feature special offers whereby all long distance calls within the contiguous USA are charged at the same rate.
As in Britain, call rates are highest during the day on weekdays when traffic is at its highest. Rates are lowest at night and at weekends when traffic is lightest.
Calls dialled direct are always least expensive. Any more complex option, such as call collect (reverse charges), credit card payment, person-to-person, operator assisted, etc, will involve a much higher charge.
Almost all US and Canadian motels make no additional service charges for telephone calls beyond what they will have to pay the telephone company. In other words, you usually pay the normal rate for calls. However, it would be advisable to check this before making a lengthy, long distance or international call. (In Britain, hotels typically make an additional service charge of many times what they actually pay for telephone calls.)
Some motel chains make a point in their directories of specifying that they offer free local calls at all locations. The Motel 6 directory says: "Free local calls and no motel service charge on long distance calls, at all locations". Super 8 offer free local calls "at participating locations".
No US or Canadian motel will ever charge you for making a toll-free 800, 877 or 888 call.
Some more expensive hotels in the USA and Canada may make a service charge of 50 cents or 75 cents per call.
Because rotary dial phones don't have * and # these symbols are never used in telephone numbers.
However, automated response telephone systems often use these buttons, usually as terminators for variable length fields or for special options. Verbal instructions will be given telling you what to do if you ring one of these services.
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Most recently modified 23-Jul-02