3rd area code coming to Manitoba by end of October

A third area code, 584, will be introduced in Manitoba by the end of the month, according to the Telecommunications Alliance.

The introduction of the new area code is due to an increasing demand for telephone numbers in the region.

The new code will ensure that a sufficient number of telephone numbers are available to respond to future requests. It will be phased in from October 29, a press release said on Wednesday.

« After this date, residents and businesses requesting a new phone number may receive one with the new area code, » said Kelly T. Walsh, program manager of the Canadian Numbering Administrator.

Existing numbers will retain the same area code after the new one is introduced, and local calling areas will remain the same.

All local calls will always require 10 digits (area code plus local number). Special numbers, such as 911, should always only be dialed with three digits.

Companies using communications systems that restrict long distance calls will need to add 584 as an area code, the Telecommunications Alliance said.

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