What do I need to do for the area code change to not get billed for long distanc

With the new changes in Az. area codes, how can I check or change my access code so I don't get billed for long distance? Take you for you help.

This question was answered on August 22, 1999. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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The area code change will challenge all of us when it comes to using our computers to connect with others, be it the Internet, faxing or Tele-commuting During the initial installation of Windows based systems that have a modem, a question appears asking what area code you will be dialing from By default, Windows will automatically put a “1” in front of any phone number that has an area code that does not match your “dialing from” area code This feature is what will cause most of the “heartburn” when the area code split goes into effect 602, 623 & 480 are all local area codes to one another and will not work if a “1” is in front of the number For example, if you are dialing from the 602 area code and you input the number 480-555-1234, it will actually dial 1-480-555-1234 causing you to get that “It is not necessary to dial 1...” message from the phone company Your modem, of course, does not understand this voice message and will not be able to complete the connection There are a few basic steps that may help limit the number of missed connections when using your computer Because Windows 95 is available in a handful of different versions, I will start with a method that should work for all versions of Windows 95, 98 & NT

Most of us will have to deal with the issue of connecting to our Internet Service Provider (ISP) The configuration information for connecting to our ISP is usually contained in the Dial-Up Networking section of our computers To access this configuration for your ISP, double-click on My Computer, then on the Dial-Up Networking icon When the Dial-Up Networking window opens you should see several icons that include Make New Connection and an icon that represents your current configuration (In my example, I am connecting to Extreme Internet) RIGHT-CLICK on the icon that represents your ISP, then on the Properties option to reveal a window that looks like this:

Remove the check mark (simply click on the box) in front of “Use area code and Dialing properties” This will gray-out the area code box, and also tells this session to ignore any settings in the “Dialing Properties” of your modem What that means for this configuration only, is you must put all required numbers and symbols in the “Telephone Number” box including the new area code Example: 480-368-4621 This configuration forces the modem to dial the exact numbers and not automatically put a “1” in front of a number that does not have the same area code allowing your call to be placed properly If you want to disable call waiting for this session you would need to add the *70 Example: *70,480-368-4621 If you must dial “9” to get an outside line at your office you must put that in as well Example: 9,480-368-4621 Again, this will only affect this one configuration If you have multiple ISP’s you will need to do the same to each configuration.

Some of you (Windows 98 and newer Windows 95 users) may have an option in your Modems Dialing Properties to set “Area Code Rules” which then handles all dialing that is controlled by Windows To check for this option click on Start, then on Settings, then on Control Panel Locate the Modems icon and double-click it When the “Modems Properties” window opens look for the Dialing Properties button and click it This will open the Dialing Properties window with an option for “Area Code Rules”.

Click this button to give you the option to add area codes to the “Do not dial 1 for numbers with the following area codes:” section at the bottom

We will be compiling further information on a number of popular programs, such as Winfax Pro and AOL as well as a list of devices including fax machines, alarm systems, pagers, cell phones, etc that will need to be addressed at www.support4free.com

The beginning of the transition is April 1, 1999 and you must have everything working by September 1, 1999 Don’t wait to change these settings Do it now so you will have plenty of time to “test and address” any issues that you may encounter!

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Posted by Ken Colburn of Data Doctors on August 22, 1999

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