Area Code Overlay in Alabama

Sweet Home Alabama is adding a new area code – 659 — and it’s being overlaid in the area currently being served by 205. If you live in the area, you might have to change the way you dial locally. Here’s what you need to know:

Alabama Area Code Overlay

An overlay is the addition of a new area code to the same geographic region of an already existing area code. In this instance, Alabama is adding 659 to the area currently being serviced by 205. This does not mean that your current 205 number will change. Who’s affected?

Anyone with a 205 area code will be affected, which covers the west-central part of Alabama:

• Butler
• Birmingham
• Clanton
• Hamilton
• Jasper
• Pell City
• Tuscaloosa

How will you be affected?

Because there will now be two area codes in the region, local users will be required to dial the area code + telephone number. So in addition to dialing seven digits locally, you will now have to add the three-digit area code.

You’ll also have to change your automated services. Make sure equipment like life safety systems, medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, alarm security systems and gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings and voicemail services are switched to the new dialing change.

When is all of this happening?

Effective April 13, 2019, you can start using the new dialing procedure whenever you place a call from the 205 area code.

Beginning October 12, 2019, calls will not complete if you only dial the seven-digit number. A recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again to include the area code.

New phone lines and services with the 659 area code may be assigned come November 12, 2019.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at +1.888.980.9750. You can also go here for more information.